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 Iran |  South Africa |
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Iran–South Africa relations refers to thehistorical and current bilateral relationship ofIran andSouth Africa. South Africa has an embassy inTehran. Iran has an embassy inPretoria.
South Africa and Iran share historical bilateral relations and the latter supported the South Africanliberation movements. It severed official relations with South Africa in 1979 and imposed a trade boycott in protest against the country'sapartheid policies. However, in January 1994, Iran lifted all trade and economic sanctions against South Africa and diplomatic relations were reestablished on 10 May 1994.[1] Until then, Switzerland represented South African interests in Iran.
South Africa and Iran share good trade relations, with South African exports increasing by 7 percent from $1.4 billion in 2006 to $1.5 billion in 2007, and imports from Iran, mostlycrude oil, increasing by 13.5 percent from $18.3 billion in 2006 to $20.8 billion in 2007.[2] Iran was the largest supplier of crude oil to South Africa in 2007.[3]
Sasol participated in a $900-million polymer joint venture with the Iranian state-owned petrochemicals company,Pars Petrochemicals Company, which produces ethylene as well as high- and low-density polyethylene. The joint venture is known as theArya Sasol Polymer Company. Iran and South Africa have equally invested 1.35 billioneuros in the project. Arya Sasol Petrochemical Complex is among the world's biggestpolymer projects. When the complex comes on stream, 400,000 tons of ethylene, 90,000 tons of C3 cut, 300,000 tons of medium and heavy polyethylene, and 300,000 tons of light polyethylene will be added to Iran's petrochemical output. However, due to international sanctions, Sasol sold its stake in 2013 for $238 million, and as of 2015, it has no invested or operating interest in Iran. .[4]
In the 12th meeting of theSouth Africa–Iran joint commission held inTehran,Iran 10–11 May the South AfricanMinister of International Relations and Cooperation condemned the imposition ofSanctions against Iran, saying the sanctions are "irrational and illegal". The minister showed interest to improve the trade relations in areas such aseducation, health, investments,mining,transport,agriculture,science andtechnology, andenergy once the sanctions are lifted.[5]
Ties between the Iranian government under thePahlavi dynasty and South Africa's predominantly white government were close duringapartheid. AfterReza Shah abdicated in 1941, he exiled himself to South Africa then he died there in 1944. His son,Mohammad Reza Pahlavi visited the country during the 1970s where he was received byB J Vorster.
During theIran–Iraq War, South Africa is believed to have sold defence technology to Iran in exchange for oil.[6]
In August 2023, a cooperation deal was signed between foreign ministers of Iran–South Africa.[7]Iran reached an agreement with South Africa to develop and equip five refineries in the African state.Under the agreement, the Iranian Oil Ministry will help to develop five refineries in South Africa by exporting technical and engineering services.[8]
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