In a meeting with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the common grounds between Iran and Uzbekistan should be used to expand relations in different sectors.

Stressing the importance of expanding relations between Iran and Uzbekistan, the Leader referred to the unparalleled historical, cultural and scientific affinity that exists between the two countries.

Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed satisfaction at the revival of relations between the two countries after a long break. “Unfortunately, for many years the relations between Iran and Uzbekistan were very limited. We hope that this trip and the talks held in Tehran will be the beginning of a better future with regards to the relations between the two countries,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has the ability to easily connect Uzbekistan to open waters through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Furthermore, the areas of cooperation (between the two countries) are beyond trade and transportation, and more cooperation can be done with various initiatives in the field of science and technology and in other sectors,” the Leader stated, Khamenei.ir reported.

The Leader then warned that there are some who oppose the idea of Iran and Uzbekistan expanding relations, however, “decisions should be made despite these objections and based on the interests of the two countries. By the same token, cooperation should be expanded as much as possible.”

During the meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Uzbekistan described his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei as historic.

“We too were upset about the interruption that had occurred in the relations between the two countries as well as the reduction in cooperation. We hope that with the talks that were held in Tehran, we will take great steps and cooperation will reach their proper and desired level in the fields of trade, transportation, science and technology and tourism,” Mirziyoyev said.

Uzbekistan’s president also lauded the Iranian nation for its resistive stance against the sanctions. “The achievements of the Iranian nation, especially in the field of science and technology, which I saw parts of in an exhibition, demonstrate that under the wise guidance of its Leader, a united nation can achieve great goals despite all pressures,” he added.