The Middle East Institute (MEI) posted on 23 October 2017 a commentary titled "Iran Seeks Closer Economic Ties with Africa to Minimize U.S. Sanctions" by Ahmad Majidyar, MEI.
The author suggested that the participation by Iran's foreign minister in the 13th Iran-South Africa Business Forum in Pretoria portends a renewed push by Iran to improve relations with Africa as the Trump administration is threatening to undo the nuclear agreement. Iran has not been active in Africa in recent years and recently experienced diplomatic setbacks in the Horn of Africa at the hands of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.


