Iran, S Africa ties to motivate other states: Analyst

Press TV has interviewed Kaveh Afrasiabi, an author and political scientist in Boston, to discuss the expansion of relations between Iran and South Africa.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: Tell me the importance of expanding relations between Iran and South Africa.

Afrasiabi: Well as you know South Africa is a pivotal African country that is also a member of the BRICS group that is trying to restructure global governance and amplify the interest of developing nations and Iran and South Africa have always had in the post-apartheid era friendly relations and are now seeking to take it to a higher level by signing eight agreements during this trip by President Zuma as well as setting up a joint task force on trade, agriculture, industry. They are also trying to restore the energy cooperation because prior to the imposition of sanctions, Iran was exporting some 40 percent of South Africa’s energy needs and so that is an important aspect of this trip as well.

So on the terrorism and fight against extremism and violence, I think that this is a landmark agreement between Iran and South Africa, a regional powerhouse that is also a gateway for Iran’s relations to the entire continent and as we know there are alarming signs of ISIS (Daesh) and other terrorist groups making inroads in some parts of Africa and so on. So this is very key for, as I said taking the relationship to a higher level and it also sets an example to other countries particularly in the region in terms of Iran’s constructive role as a regional stabilizer.  

Press TV: Do you think we are more likely when sanctions are totally lifted actually and also the banking situation is in place that we are going to see Iran looking more towards expanding relations with the African continent and then also looking to the East, then really let’s say the Europeans and even further West? How do you see it in general?  

Afrasiabi: Well I really do not see it as either-or. My understanding of the foreign policy priorities of the Rouhani administration is that he wants to diversify his trade partners and set up good expansive relations with not just South Africa but the entire continent as well as Europe, Asia and other parts of the world and therefore it is not sort of a zero-sum game.

What is important however is that the expansion of trade and financial and other ties with South Africa has a catalytic importance in motivating other countries that are hesitant to enter into relations with Iran to set aside their hesitations because this 180 delegation member that President Zuma brought to Iran with him and signed these agreements is a very effective working delegation not just like some others who just came to observe and smell the situation. So I really think that this will break some ice with other countries as well.

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