Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met with Naledi Pandor, South Africa's Minister of Cooperation and International Relations, during his initial round of negotiations with the top South African diplomat in Pretoria on Thursday afternoon. Amirabdollahian highlighted South Africa's significant role in Africa and Iran's strategic position in West Asia, emphasizing the need for comprehensive political and economic cooperation between the two countries to enhance intercontinental and global interactions. The Iranian Foreign Minister outlined Tehran's stance on regional and international matters, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine. He expressed satisfaction with the alignment of views between Tehran and Pretoria on these issues and called for increased cooperation and exchange of opinions on global matters. Amirabdollahian refuted Western countries' accusations regarding Iran's alleged arms support to Russia, stating that Iran had not received any purported documentation of its involvement from Ukraine during a meeting between Iranian and Ukrainian military delegations in Muscat. He proceeded to discuss the security and political circumstances in Afghanistan, expressing concern about the oppression of women in the country and the significant influx of Afghan refugees into Iran. Amirabdollahian attributed the current challenges of drug trafficking, insecurity, and the influx of refugees to Iran to the two decades of the US occupation Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister regarded the growing relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia as an accomplishment of the 13th Administration's neighboring policy. He expressed contentment with the agreements concerning the cessation of the war in Yemen and emphasized Tehran's support for talks between Yemeni factions. Regarding Palestine, Amirabdollahian expressed satisfaction with South Africa's government stance and considered the Supreme Leader's proposal for resolving the Palestinian issue through a referendum among all Palestinians as the only legitimate solution to the Palestinian crisis. He also elaborated on Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, highlighting the importance of the agency's focus on technical activities and avoiding politicking. In the end, Amirabdollahian explained Iran's strategic and geopolitical capabilities in cooperation with BRICS, while emphasizing Tehran's interest in joining this economic alliance. He urged South Africa's support for Iran's membership in BRICS. Additionally, he regarded President Raisi’s upcoming visit to South Africa as a valuable opportunity to strengthen economic and political ties between Tehran and Pretoria. Regarding South Africa's perspective, Naledi Pandor addressed the current political and security situation in African countries. The top South African diplomat stressed Pretoria’s support for the Palestinian people, criticizing the United Nations' double standard towards the territorial integrity and the world body's disregard for the Palestinian people's choices. Pandor emphasized the significance of the Pretoria-Tehran relationship and reiterated South Africa's backing for Iran's inclusion in BRICS.