Iran, Morocco to resume diplomatic relations

Iran and Morocco have agreed to resume diplomatic relations after a four-year freeze, an Iranian deputy foreign minister was quoted as saying by Press TV on Thursday.

"Iran and Morocco plan to reopen their embassies in Rabat and Tehran in the near future," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

The decision followed discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif and his Moroccan counterpart, Salaheddine Mezouar, during a recent telephone conversation, Amir- Abdollahian said.

In March 2009, Morocco cut its diplomatic ties with Iran. The decision was triggered by Iran's "inadmissible attitude" against Morocco, and its "interference" in the country's religious affairs, a press release of the Moroccan foreign ministry said at the time.

The re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Morocco comes just as Iran opens up its economy and world powers partially lift sanctions. In the past months, delegations from Italy, Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands as well as the Republic of Korea have visited Iran in search of trade opportunities and to strengthen ties.