- Iran and Iraq Relations Expansion Headquarters SecretaryRostam Ghassemi visited Irbil, Iraq for talks aimed at developing economic cooperation and trade exchanges between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan. Ghassemi, recently the Oil Minister under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is a former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Brig. Gen. and IRGC Khatam ol-Anbia Construction Base Commander.
- Armed Forces General Staff Headquarters Deputy for Industrial Preparation, Support, and Research Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Brig. Gen. MohammadHejazi announced the construction of new missile defense systems: After reaching the conclusion after three years that cooperation is not possiblebetween us and another country. Iranian officials have previously criticized Russia for not delivering the advanced S-300 missile defense system. Hejazi credited the Supreme Leaders guidance for helping Iran build its own version of the S-300.
- Artesh Ground Forces Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Kioumars Heidari announced that Irans army will be equipped with new advanced, precision solid-fueled missileswith a reported range of 300 KM (186 miles). The missiles reportedly have fast mobility and pinpoint accuracy.
- President HassanRouhani met with Pakistans Foreign Minister Sartaj Azizin Tehran and reportedly discussed developments in Syria, increasing security measures and cooperation along the Iran-Pakistan border. Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to travel to Iran in May.
- President Rouhani met with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz. Rouhani called for greater ties between Austria and Iran and said European Union sanctionsshould not be an obstacle to the economic relations between the two countries.Rouhani also urged the P5+1 in his remarks to resolve the standoff over Irans nuclear program.
- Head of the Expediency Discernment Council Ayatollah Ali Akbar HashemiRafsanjani also met with FM Kurz.Rafsanjani said The majority of the Iranian people and the educated support the Rouhani administrations effort to increase Irans ties with outside countries. He added that, while there is a bright prospect to a resolution over the nuclear issue, it remains complicated and due to political goals under the pretext of the nuclear program it is difficult to predict an outcome.
- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos Lopez in Tehran;the two sides discussed expanding economic relations between Tehran and Managua. Zarif also expressed President Rouhanis desire to expand relations with Nicaraguas President Daniel Ortega.
By AEI Critical Threat
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
