President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, following the latter’s win in the Iranian presidential elections which took place on May 19.

The election victory will see Rouhani serve a second presidential term, having ascended to the office for the first time in 2013.

In a statement on Monday, Zuma extended his congratulations and best wishes to President Rouhani and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Zuma undertook a State visit to Iran in April 2016 where he held fruitful bilateral talks with Rouhani and witnessed the signing of several agreements covering the fields of energy resources, finance, trade and industry, water and sanitation, education and research and arts and culture.

According to the statement, South Africa views Iran as “a strategic trading partner within the Middle East and Central Asian regions”.

“In the bilateral sphere, South Africa and Iran share a long historical relationship, with Iran having stood with and supported the struggle for liberation in South Africa,” the statement said. “South Africa has also stood with Iran in the face of unilaterally imposed sanctions.”

Zuma said South Africa looked forward to working with Iran under Rouhani to consolidate relations and implement existing agreements.