President Pezeshkian Calls for Stronger Ties with Sri Lanka and Germany

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to expanding diplomatic and economic relations during separate meetings with the newly appointed ambassadors of Sri Lanka and Germany. He said Iran was ready to strengthen cooperation with friendly nations through dialogue, mutual respect, and practical partnerships.

In his meeting with Sri Lankan Ambassador P. M. Amza, President Pezeshkian described Iran and Sri Lanka’s relationship as one built on mutual respect and shared interests. He said Tehran was prepared to deepen cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, agriculture, technology, and the economy, while calling for the activation of the Joint Economic Commission to advance bilateral agreements. The president also thanked Sri Lanka for its humanitarian assistance in repatriating the remains of Iranians killed following what he described as the illegal U.S. attack on an Iranian naval vessel, calling the gesture a symbol of the strong friendship between the two countries. Ambassador Amza highlighted the enduring partnership between Tehran and Colombo, noting that 2027 will mark the 66th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and praised Iran’s support for Sri Lanka in international forums.

Meeting German Ambassador Markus Potzel Dittmann, President Pezeshkian acknowledged the long history of Iran-Germany relations but said bilateral ties had deteriorated in recent years. He attributed the decline to measures including the closure of the Islamic Center of Hamburg, restrictions on Iranian consular missions, sanctions on Iranian banks, and Germany’s stance on recent military actions against Iran. Despite these differences, the Iranian president reiterated Tehran’s commitment to diplomacy and resolving disputes through political dialogue within the framework of international law. Ambassador Dittmann said his mission would focus on promoting honest and responsible communication to help improve relations between Tehran and Berlin.