Iran Restores Diplomatic Ties with Djibouti After Seven Years
Iran announced on Friday it was restoring diplomatic ties with Djibouti, more than seven years after it joined other countries in the region in cutting ties with Tehran in support of Saudi Arabia.
Resumption of Diplomatic Relations
The decision by the strategically important Horn of Africa country comes months after Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed ties under a Chinese-brokered deal announced in March.
“Today, Iran and Djibouti announced the resumption of diplomatic relations through an official statement,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In New York, the diplomatic mission in New York was headed by Foreign Minister Akai Mahmoud Ali Youssef.
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The common interests of Farhanga and their geopolitical significance are a very important matter of common concern. pic.twitter.com/rO7jWXTF0L— H. Amirabdollahian Amirabdollahian (@Amirabdollahian) September 21, 2023
Meeting at the UN General Assembly
This step was made after Amir Abdullahyan’s meeting with his Djiboutian counterpart Mahmoud Ali Youssef in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Rebuilding Relations with Neighboring Arab Countries
Djibouti severed ties with Tehran in January 2016 in solidarity with Saudi Arabia, but following a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia last March, Iran has taken steps to strengthen or restore relations with neighboring Arab countries.
Strategic Importance of Djibouti
Djibouti, a strategic port on the Gulf of Aden, is located on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and hosts military bases from China, France, and the United States.
The small country is located at the mouth of the Red Sea, directly opposite Yemen.
Further Development of Friendly Relations
Late on Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Iran and Djibouti also agreed to “further develop friendly relations” and “strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas.”
Source: RT+AFP