Iran's Vice President for International Affairs Ali Saeedlou is due to visit Cuba to hold talks with senior Cuban officials over bilateral cooperation.Heading a high-ranking economic, trade and commercial delegation, Saeedlou left Tehran on Tuesday for Cubas capital, Havana.
Saeedlou is scheduled to hold talks with Cuban President Raul Castro and other senior economic and political officials.
The two countries officials will discuss various issues including the implementation of joint projects.
Since 2005, Iran has opened six new embassies in Latin America. It now has 11 embassies and 17 cultural centers in the region.
The Islamic Republic has been seeking to expand relations with Latin American countries over the past few years, describing the endeavor as one of its major foreign policy strategies.
Major Latin American nations have also enhanced their diplomatic and trade ties with Iran in recent years while their relations with the United States have been downgraded amid popular demands for an end to dependence on Washington.
Irans rising popularity in Latin America has raised major concerns in Washington, which regards the region as its strategic backyard and traditional sphere of influence.
On December 28, 2012, US President Barack Obama enacted Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act which calls for the US State Department to work out a strategy within six months to address Iran's growing hostile presence and activity in Latin America.
By Press TV
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