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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi did not depart on a three-nation tour to Africa as planned, without giving any reason. Raisi was scheduled to travel from Tehran on Tuesday morning
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi did not depart on a three-nation tour to Africa as planned, without giving any reason. Raisi was scheduled to travel from Tehran on Tuesday morning. The president planned to visit Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The reasons for why he did not start his scheduled trip are not given, although the state media repeatedly announced his visit earlier. If it takes place it will be the first by an Iranian President in 11 years.
Kenya’s foreign ministry said in a brief statement that the visit was delayed until Wednesday morning so key memoranda of understanding could be finalized that are central to the furtherance of relations. The statement issued by the Kenyan President’s office said the presidents would have a bilateral meeting after Raisi arrived. It would be unusual for Iran’s president to call off a foreign trip, though domestic visits sometimes are cancelled.
In 2018, Iran cancelled a visit by Iraq’s then-prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, after he said he had no choice but to abide by renewed U.S. sanctions on Tehran even though he opposed them. Iran’s then-foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, reportedly cancelled a trip to Italy amid tense nuclear talks, citing his tight schedule.
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In March, Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia agreed to restore ties under a China-mediated deal. Last month, President Raisi visited Latin America before heading to Indonesia.
