Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said Tehran is seeking closer relations with African countries.
Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with Kenyan senator Mohamed Yusuf Haji in Tehran on Sunday.
"In view of the friendly and historical relations between the two countries, we can envisage a good prospect for increasing the level of bilateral relations between Iran and Kenya," IRNA quoted him as saying.
In a separate meeting with MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi in the Tehran on Saturday, the Kenyan senator said Nairobi is seeking to enhance its relations with Tehran.
“Expansion of relations with Iran, as an important and influential country in the region, has received the attention of the Kenyan government and parliament,” ISNA quoted Yusuf Haji as saying.
He praised Iran for making progress under the pressure of sanctions and said his country is keen to take advantage of Iran’s scientific, industrial, and technological achievements.
Boroujerdi, for his part, pointed to friendly political relations between the two countries and said bilateral ties in other areas should also be improved.
“Increased parliamentary cooperation would pave the way for expansion of economic and commercial relations,” he said.
Commenting on the West’s “unjust” sanctions against Iran, the chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said the sanctions have boosted the country’s "sense of self-reliance."
On the issue of terrorism, he said the Islamic Republic has gone to great lengths in its campaign against the scourge.
Elsewhere, Boroujerdi said the parliament is ready to take measures to facilitate the process of sharing experience and achievements with the African country.
