Iran and Gambia restore diplomatic relations after 14-year hiatus

Iran and Gambia have announced the restoration of diplomatic relations, ending a 14-year hiatus. This decision, aimed at serving the mutual interests of both countries, was confirmed in a joint statement released yesterday following a meeting between Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Gambia’s Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara in Tehran.

Tangara, in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, participated in talks that emphasised the development of cordial relations grounded in mutual respect, equality and shared interests. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation across political, economic, investment, trade and cultural sectors.

To expedite the diplomatic process, the embassies of both countries in Dakar, Senegal, will facilitate necessary measures, IRNA reports.

The West African state severed ties with Iran in November 2010 after Nigeria intercepted an arms shipment from Iran allegedly destined for Gambia. Despite Tehran’s insistence that the shipment complied with international law, Banjul denied involvement and cut relations, with Iran attributing the decision to US pressure.

In 2013, Iranian national Azim Aghajani, an alleged member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC), was sentenced to five years in prison, along with a Nigerian accomplice for smuggling arms including rockets, mortars and grenades, which were seized from a ship docked in in Lagos three years earlier, which were reportedly destined for Gambia.

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