Tasnim � Iranian President Hassan Rouhani praised Niger for its stance on a recent US-initiated resolution on extension of a UN arms embargo on Tehran, urging the African country to continue to stand against Washington�s unilateralism during its presidency of the UN Security Council.

In a telephone conversation with his Nigerien counterpart Mahamadou Issoufou on Monday evening, Rouhani congratulated Niger on holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in September.

�I am confident that the Republic of Niger, as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, will act quite independently and professionally during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council in the same way that it adopted a very constructive stance on the illegal resolution on extension of the Iran arms embargo, and will prevent the US from abusing the United Nations and the Security Council for excessive demands and unilateralism,� he added.

Rouhani also highlighted the �constructive and positive� cooperation between Iran and Niger in international organizations, such as the UN, NAM and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and expressed gratitude to Niger for constant support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the UNSC Resolution 2231 that endorses the nuclear deal.

�Certain countries� abuse of international circles has been the root cause of many problems in the contemporary world,� the Iranian president underscored, saying Tehran and Niamey share the view that international relations must be based upon justice, righteousness, and human values founded on independence, solidarity and dignity.

Pointing to four decades of close cooperation between the two Muslim nations in various fields such as mineral exploration, health sector, and agriculture, Rouhani expressed Iran�s readiness to share its experiences in the fight against terrorism and in the battle with the coronavirus pandemic with the Republic of Niger, according to the Iranian government�s website.

For his part, the Nigerien president voiced the African country�s readiness to enhance relations with Iran in all fields.

He also highlighted the cooperation between Iran and Niger in international organizations, including NAM and the UN, and expressed satisfaction with the common views of the two Muslim nations about various international issues.

Niger has always tried to establish international cooperation on the basis of major humanitarian values, Issoufou said, adding that his country would employ the same strategy at the UN Security Council.