This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points.(September 2017) |
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In March 2010, during the European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers' pastoral retreat, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that there was consensus enough in the EU for imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran for its nuclear activity, as the United Nations (UN) resolution will likely not be ready until June 2010, with the risk that it will not even be passed at that time. [1] He added that "failing [UN sanctions], I think there is an emerging consensus inside the European Union that we will take some unilateral measures from the EU side... What those exact measure are, have not been discussed in detail." [2]
In May 2008, Finnish ambassador to Iran Heikki Puurunen met with Iranian customs president Hashem Rahbari to discuss the possibility of the two countries signing an agreement memorandum that would boost their trade relations. [3] Rahbari stated, "Iran has signed several customs trade agreements with foreign countries. If Finland is also interested in inking such an agreement, we will initiate it during the visit of the Finnish customs administration to Tehran." [4]
In May 2008, Finnish ambassador to Iran Heikki Puurunen and Iranian customs president Hashem Rahbari met to discuss the possibility of the two countries signing an agreement memorandum that would boost their trade relations. During this meeting Puurrunen stated, "Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Europe have fallen in the past few years due to political reasons, but Finland welcomes stronger ties and higher trade volume with Iran." [5] In April 2008 Iranian and Finnish chiefs of geology organization signed a memorandum of understanding for increased scientific and research cooperation. [6] "The two sides' geology organizations will cooperate in various fields including data analysis, exploration, petrology and training." [7]
Geography is an important factor in informing Iran's foreign policy. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the newly formed Islamic Republic, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, dramatically reversed the pro-American foreign policy of the last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Since then the country's policies have oscillated between the two opposing tendencies of revolutionary ardour to eliminate Western and non-Muslim influences while promoting the Islamic revolution abroad, and pragmatism, which would advance economic development and normalization of relations. Iran's bilateral dealings are accordingly sometimes confused and contradictory.
German–Iranian relations are the bilateral relations between Germany and Iran. Official diplomatic relations between Iran and Germany after World War II began in 1939, when Iran opened its first diplomatic mission office in Bonn, both countries′ predecessor states had maintained formal diplomatic relations since the end of 19th century. Germany has an embassy in Tehran, which was originally established in the court of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar in October 1884 and has been in the present building since 1894. Iran opened its embassy in Berlin in 1885. Germany and Iran continued to have political relations well into World War II. In December 2022, Germany said it was "suspending state incentives to promote trade with Iran due to the repression of demonstrators."
India–Iran relations are the bilateral relationship between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Independent India and Iran established diplomatic relations on 15 March 1950. However, ties between both ancient Persia and ancient India date back millennia. During much of the Cold War, relations between India and the erstwhile Imperial State of Iran suffered due to their differing political interests: India endorsed a non-aligned position but fostered strong links with the Soviet Union, while Iran was an open member of the Western Bloc and enjoyed close ties with the United States. While India did not welcome the 1979 Islamic Revolution, relations between the two states strengthened momentarily in its aftermath. However, Iran's continued support for Pakistan in the India–Pakistan conflict and India's close relations with Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War greatly strained bilateral ties. In the 1990s, both India and Iran supported the Northern Alliance against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the latter of which received overt Pakistani backing and ruled most of the country until the 2001 United States-led invasion. They continued to collaborate in supporting the broad-based anti-Taliban government, led by Ashraf Ghani and backed by the international community, until the Taliban captured Kabul in 2021 and re-established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. India and Iran signed a defence cooperation agreement in December 2002.
Iranian–Italian relations are the diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Italian Republic.
Iran–Turkey relations are the bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey. The two states' relationship is complex and characterized by periods of both tension and cooperation, as both Iran and Turkey are fighting for influence in the Middle East through supporting opposing proxies as part of a proxy conflict. The two countries are also major trade partners and are perceived as mutually interdependent due to geographical proximity as well as historically shared cultural, linguistic, and ethnic traits.
The "kill or capture" strategy is a policy adopted in 2007 by the United States in Iraq to confront suspected Iranian operatives in Iraq. These Iranian operatives were accused of supplying various militias in Iraq with technical, financial, and material support so that they can carry out terrorist attacks against U.S.-led Coalition forces.
Iran–Venezuela relations have strengthened substantially in recent years. "Iran and Venezuela are two friendly and united states which pave their ways to further progress and welfare for their nations", according to President Rouhani. The two countries are contemporary strategic allies of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China while opposing U.S. hegemony in their respective regions.
Bilateral relations exist between Armenia and Iran. Despite religious and ideological differences, relations between the two states remain extensively cordial and both are strategic partners in the region. Armenia and Iran are both neighbouring countries in Western Asia and share a common land border that is 44 kilometres (27 mi) in length.
Cuba-Iran relations, which are characterized by economic and diplomatic cooperation, are quite friendly. Iran has a productive trade balance with Cuba. The two governments signed a document to bolster cooperation in Havana in January 2006. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called relations "firm and progressive" over the past three decades.
Iran–Switzerland relations are foreign relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Swiss Confederation.
Canada and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations since 2012. In the absence of diplomatic representation, Italy acts as the protecting power for Canada in Iran and Switzerland acts as Iran's protecting power in Canada.
The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic recognized de facto the Islamic Republic of Iran in February 1979, and Belarus and Iran established de jure diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus has an embassy in Tehran. Iran has an embassy in Minsk.
European Union–Iran relations are the bilateral relations between Iran and the European Union (EU). The EU is Iran's largest trading partner, along with China and the United Arab Emirates. Trade with Iran is subject to the general EU import regime and the EU supports the goal of Iranian accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU has accused and criticized Iran for human rights violations, which led to diplomatic tensions, but both sides aim at improving and normalizing relations. Should Turkey's accession to the EU take place, Iran will border the European Union.
Ecuador - Iran relations refer to foreign relations between Ecuador and Iran. During the presidencies of Rafael Correa and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 21st century, relations between the two countries were restored and strengthened. Iran has an embassy in Quito. Ecuador closed its embassy in Tehran in 1978.
Brazil–Iran relations are the bilateral relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Relations are characterized by economic and diplomatic cooperation and are quite friendly. Iran has a productive trade balance with Brazil. The two governments signed a document to bolster cooperation during the G-15 Summit in Tehran in 2010. However, since the election of former Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff, relations between the two countries recently have deteriorated greatly, following Rousseff shifting Brazil away from Iran due to Iran's violation of human and civil rights. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's media adviser, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, was quoted as stating that Rousseff had "destroyed years of good relations" between them. He denied making such a statement.
Relations between the neighboring countries of Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are deeply historic, dating back centuries prior to the establishment of the modern-day United Arab Emirates; however today are shaky and unpredictable. Both the countries maintain diplomatic relations with each other, having embassies in each other's capitals.
Iran and South Korea have had diplomatic relations since 1962. Throughout history, the two countries have maintained a normal relationship despite South Korea's close relationship with the United States, and Iran's close relationship with North Korea. However, many South Koreans disapprove of Iran's nuclear program and its open alliance with North Korea, sometimes leading the South Korean government to sanction Iran.
Iran–Sweden relations are foreign relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Sweden.
Iran–Philippines relations refer to foreign relations between Iran and the Philippines. Diplomatic relations were established on January 22, 1964. There is a community of thousands of Iranians in the Philippines including many international students drawn by the country's low-cost English education.
Iran–Kenya relations are bilateral relations between Iran and Kenya.