Tehran, IRNA – Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has called Iran and Bolivia two independent revolutionary countries and described strengthening Iran-Bolivia ties as a strategic necessity.

Brigadier General Ashtiani made the remarks in a Sunday meeting with his Bolivian counterpart Edmundo Novillo Aguilar, who is on a visit to Tehran at the head of a delegation.

Congratulating his Bolivian counterpart on Bolivia's Independence Day, which was achieved after 16 years of struggle for independence, Ashtiani said that Latin America, especially the revolutionary and independent countries in the region, holds a special significance in the foreign and defense policies of Iran.

He added that Iran's relations with friendly and like-minded countries in Latin America, including Bolivia, are an example of relations between independent countries.

Edmundo Novillo Aguilar, for his part, said that nations that strive for their freedom must unite in various ways and forms.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to deepen ties for common goals between the two countries, he added.

Stating that the Islamic Revolution is a model for Bolivia to achieve the freedom of nations, he underlined that despite various sanctions, Iran has succeeded in achieving significant successes in the fields of science and technology, especially in security, and defense areas.

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