Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka received the visiting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), His Excellency Dr Saeed Khatibzadeh, for a bilateral meeting held at DIRCO on 23 June 2026.

Deputy Minister Moraka reiterated the views expressed by Minister Ronald O. Lamola when welcoming the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and recalled that the Minister also stated that “South Africa has consistently called for international disputes to be settled by negotiation – not war”.

Dr Khatibzadeh briefed Deputy Minister Moraka on the latest developments pertaining to the implementation of the MoU, and Deputy Minister Moraka affirmed that South Africa stands ready to support all parties to ensure that the momentum towards peace is not lost.

The Deputy Ministers further welcomed the conducive climate that has been created by the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. African countries were adversely affected during the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and its reopening is paramount for ensuring the energy and food security of the continent.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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