Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has extended his congratulations to people of Africa on the occasion of Africa Day, saying the Islamic Republic will forever remain a reliable partner of all African nations.

Iran has always been-and will forever be-a reliable partner of all fraternal African nations, Zarif said in a post on his official Twitter account on Monday.

He added that the Africa Day 2020 is a remembrance of the brave struggles of Africans against oppression.

The top Iranian diplomat also expressed the country’s readiness to share its experience and expertise to help save lives amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Iran, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the pandemic, has managed to contain the rate of COVID-19 infection mainly relying on home-grown efforts for producing treatment and diagnostics as the country continues to suffer from a series of US sanctions that have hampered its access to imports of medicine and vital medical equipment.

Washington has even attempted to block a request by Iran to the International Monetary Fund for an emergency loan that the country needs to contain the pandemic.

SOURCE: PRESS TV