Iran to cement ties with Zim

Yeukai Karengezeka-Herald Correspondent

Iran has pledged to cement its ties with Zimbabwe and joins Zimbabweans in celebrating the country’s Heroes and Defence Forces Days.

Iran also pledged to cement cultural relations between the two nations to harness the potential human capital and technology as well as promote cultural exchange and tourism collaborations.

In a statement, the Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of Iran, Mr Hamid Bakhtiyar saluted Zimbabweans’ for the sacrifice they made in the quest to bring total independence.

“Today, the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of Iran honours and resolutely joins those triumphant forces in celebrating Zimbabwe’s living and departed martyrs, men and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom of the present and future generations.

“(The) Gallant Defence Forces have vigilantly guarded the torch lit by the heroes. From the trenches of the liberation struggle to the frontiers of peace, they have stood as an indestructible fortification against threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Mr Bakhtiyar.

He said Iran also appreciates Zimbabwe’s heroes and luminaries who dared to confront the yoke of oppression yet they were ordinary citizens who transformed into extraordinary leaders whose spirits were ignited by the flame of liberation.

Their voices, though often silenced, resonated with the aspirations of millions. 

Their sacrifices, though immense, were seeds sown for a harvest of independence in 1980.

“In support of the prosperous Vision 2030 of Zimbabwe, we hereby pledge to forge close cultural relations between Iran and Zimbabwe, as the road to a prosperous Zimbabwe is paved with hard work, innovation, and collaboration.

“To the living heroes and gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe led by His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of Iran urges them to continue fighting for the total and complete economic emancipation of Zimbabwe and its people,” said Bakhtiyar.