JEDDAH (SD)-Somalia and Iran have expressed their interest in improving their political relations following a meeting in Jeddah between Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalin Fiqi, and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani.

Fiqi, during the meeting which coincided with the Islamic Cooperation Organization summit at the end of last week, welcomed the initial talks and condemned the actions of Israel in Gaza and Palestinian territories.

He praised Iran for its ongoing support of the Palestinian cause.

Somalia cut its ties with Iran in 2016, accusing it of internal interference, a move seen as aligning with Saudi Arabia, which had launched a diplomatic campaign to isolate Iran that year. However, Riyadh and Tehran have since restored their relations.

Recent actions by Somalia and Iran indicate the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations, particularly following Somalia’s release of 33 Iranian fishermen in March of this year.