S. Africa after Bypassing US’ Anti-Iran Sanctions through Small, Medium Enterprises

Khumalo, in a Thursday meeting with Governor General of Yazd Province Mohammad Ali Talebi, said, “One of the ways to bypass the US sanctions is to conduct trade exchanges through small and medium economic enterprises that are not within range of the sanctions,” he said.

He added that cultural and trade capacities are golden opportunities for promoting communications between the two countries and investment in the industrial province of Yazd.

Referring to registration of some of Yazd historic sites as UNESCO World Heritage as well as existence of huge mines across the province, he said that all these capacities can help promote communications between the two nations.

The South African diplomat highlighted that Iran boasts excellent capacities in various sectors which can be used in line with promoting trade exchanges between the two countries.

Talebi, for his part, said that there are common aspects between Yazd and South Africa which should be used in line with promoting ties.

Establishing sisterhood agreement between Yazd and one of the South African cities can also help strengthen communications between the two countries, he said.

He also proposed agreements should be signed between Iran and South Africa which can play a crucial role in promoting bilateral ties.

On Tuesday, Khumalo said that the US unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the nuclear deal, will not decrease his country’s economic, commercial and cultural cooperation with Iran.

Promoting tourism is one of the effective areas for economic growth, Khumalo said in a meeting with Governor General of Iran’s central province of Isfahan Abbas Rezayee.

Stressing the need for establishing direct flight between the two countries, he said, “Although there are economic and international limits in the field, we are seeking to solve the problems.”

Early in last month, Khumalou, in a meeting with Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, said that his country is determined to strengthen bilateral relations with Iran.

Khumalou insisted that his country was aware of Iran's fulfillment of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commitments and continued to maintain its support and the implementation of the deal.

“South Africa has always had friendly ties with Iran since the Revolution, and has never forgotten Iran's support for the liberation of its people,” he highlighted, during a meeting on Sunday.

The diplomat went on to say that South Africa seeks to expand its cooperation with Iran in the commercial and economic fields, and in this regard, in addition to emphasizing the importance of the implementation of existing agreements, calls for cooperation in other areas where the two sides have high capabilities and capacity.

Falahatpisheh, for his part in this meeting, referred to friendly relations between Iran and South Africa, saying, “After the Islamic Revolution, Iran-South Africa relations have been pursued at a high level, based on mutual respect which with the efforts of the authorities of the two countries, this level of relations must be preserved.”

The lawmaker added, “One hundred documents of cooperation between Iran and South Africa have been signed, which is evidence of friendly relations between the two states, but the two countries' agreements should be executed and not left on paper.”

In a related front, in mid-December, Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari visited South Africa at the head of a big delegation.

There Sattari said in a scientific meeting that Tehran is ready to share its scientific accomplishments with South Africa in the near future.

He voiced hope to share the country’s scientific achievements with South Africa in the near future.

In late April, Tehran and Pretoria, in a joint statement issued at the end of South African President Jacob Zuma's official visit to Iran, underlined the need for fast growth in expansion of ties and mutual cooperation.

Iran and South Africa underlined broadening their bilateral ties in different areas in their joint statement.

The two sides also agreed to expand mutual cooperation in regional and international areas.