Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for a boost in Tehran-Managua economic exchanges and cooperation in a move to further reinvigorate the two states' bilateral relations.

"Vast political relations between the two countries will be reinforced with economic bonds," Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Nicaraguan counterpart Samuel Santos Lopez in Tehran on Monday.

The Iranian foreign minister underlined that President Hassan Rouhani and his administration are seriously expanding their relations with Nicaragua and President Daniel Ortega.

Zarif told reporters that both Iran and Nicaragua have governments that have come to power with the support of their own people, and said, "I had good talks with the Nicaraguan foreign minister over the expansion of ties and we share extensive views at the international level."

The Iranian foreign minister said Nicaragua has shown its understanding of Iran's common political viewpoints, "and this has resulted in the proximity of the two governments and nations".

Zarif reiterated that there are suitable grounds for further mutual cooperation in economic fields, and said, "Nicaragua has witnessed very promissing results in its development (plans) and these successes have taken place during President Ortega's tenure."

Iran has been seeking to boost its ties with Latin American countries in recent years to the concern of the United States.

The strong and rapidly growing ties between Iran and Latin America have raised eyebrows in the US and its western allies since Tehran and Latin nations have forged an alliance against the imperialist and colonialist powers and are striving hard to reinvigorate their relations with the other independent countries which pursue a line of policy independent from the US.
 

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