Comoros-Iran Foreign Relations

Economic Relationship:

Since 2006, Comoros and Iran have begun to explore the prospect of bilateral relations. A Comorian delegation visiting Iran in 2006 concluded their trip by signing a memoranda of understanding on economic issues and the exchange of research, technology and information between the countries.[1] The two countries followed this exchange in October 2006, when Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture concluded bilateral agreements with its Comorian counterpart regarding agriculture and fishery relations.[2]  In the summer of 2008, Comorian President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, who studied Islamic political theory in Iran, traveled with a delegation to Tehran.[3] During the trip, the leaders strengthened development cooperation and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed his country’s willingness to assist the Comoros in technical fields.[4]

In anticipation of his 2008 visit to Comoros, Iranian President Mahmoud remarked that it is in the mutual interest of the two Muslim countries to broaden their bilateral relations. [5]

On the sidelines of November 2009’s Organization of Islamic Conference economic summit, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Comoros President Abdullah Muhamed Sambi to discuss the  expansion of bilateral relations.[6] Ahmadinejad cited strong cultural and political commonalities between the two nations as the foundation for increased cooperation, saying “Iran welcomes expansion of relations and cooperation with the friendly, brother, and revolutionary country of yours.”[7] President Sambi expressed interest in negotiations with Iran in the economic and industrial sectors.[8] Presdient Sambi previously met with President Ahmadinejad in Tehran June 2008 and May 2009.[9]

In January 2010, President Ahmadinejad called ties between Iran and Comoros “brotherly and idealogical.”[10] In a telephone conversation with Comoros President Sambi, President Ahmadinejad referred to relations with Comoros as the “direction of progress” while President Sambi articulated the need to accelerate bilateral negotiations between the two countries.[11]