Iran–Mexico relations

Iran-Mexico relations

Iran
Mexico

Iran–Mexico relations refers to the bilateral relations between Iran and Mexico.

History

The first diplomatic contacts between Iran (then known as Persia) and Mexico took place in 1889. In May 1903, a Treaty of Friendship was signed between the two nations, however, it was later abolished and declared null by the Iranian government in May 1928 due to a technicality. In 1937, a new treaty was signed between the two nations and on 15 October 1964, formal diplomatic relations were established and embassies were soon opened in each nations capitals, respectively.[1] In July 1975, Mexican President Luis Echeverría paid an official visit to Iran, the first and only visit by a sitting Mexican head of state.[2]

In January 1978, demonstrations intensified in Iran and a revolution soon followed. As a consequence, the monarchy was abolished and Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family fled the country. After first traveling to Egypt, Morocco and the Bahamas seeking asylum, the Shah and his family arrived in Mexico in June 1979 where he was granted asylum. Fearing reprisals by the Iranian people and the government for its decision in allowing the Shah to seek asylum in Mexico; Mexico closed its embassy in Tehran. As a result, Iran downgraded its diplomatic representation in Mexico to that of a Chargé d'affaires. In October 1979, the Shah left Mexico and traveled to the United States for medical treatment where he soon succumbed to his illness and died in July 1980 in Egypt.[1][3]

In July 1992, Mexico re-opened its embassy in Tehran and in 1994, a joint Iran-Mexico conference was held in Tehran in order to increase bilateral relations. A second conference took place seven years later, in 2001 in Mexico City. In December 2014, an Iranian parliamentarian delegation visited Mexico to mark 50 years since both nations established diplomatic relations.[4] Today, both nations work together to tackle common issues such as terrorism and drug trafficking..[1]

Trade

Iran and Mexico have enjoyed increasingly close political and economic relations over the years, growing with the volume of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The two countries aim to expand cooperation in several sectors, sharing science and technology, particularly in the oil industry. Two-way trade between Iran and Mexico amounted to $133 million USD in 2011, however, that figure dropped to $3 million USD in 2014.[5] Mexico is Iran's principal trading partner in Latin America.[6]

Resident diplomatic missions

References

  1. 1 2 3 History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Iran (in Spanish)
  2. ↑ El viaje presidencial por tres continentes (in Spanish)
  3. ↑ The Shah's Health: A Political Gamble
  4. ↑ Delegación Parlementaria de Irán visita México (in Spanish)
  5. ↑ Mexican Ministry of the Economy: Iran (in Spanish)
  6. ↑ Trade between Iran and Latin-America (in Spanish)
  7. ↑ Embassy of Iran in Mexico City (in Spanish)
  8. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Tehran (in English, Persian and Spanish)
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