During the meeting, Ambassador Javad Dehghan conveyed the warm regards by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of I.R. Iran, H.E. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, to his Sierra Leonean counterpart and highlighted the longstanding friendship between Iran and Sierra Leone throughout the years. The Iranian Ambassador pledged to work closely with the host country under the priorities and agendas outlined by the Sierra Leonean government. Acting Minister Alghali welcomed Ambassador Dehghan to Freetown and affirmed that Sierra Leone attaches great importance to friendship with Iran. She expressed satisfaction with the developments in bilateral ties in recent years, particularly in terms of cultural and educational cooperation including scholarships granted to Sierra Leonean students by the Government of I.R. Iran. Madame Alghali emphasized on strengthening economic collaboration among other areas, and assured the Iranian ambassador that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stands ready to cooperate in advancing diplomatic relations. The Iranian Ambassador then briefed the Sierra Leonean official on the American-Zionist aggression against Iran and the legitimate defensive actions by the Iranian armed forces, and emphasized that the return of peace and stability to West Asia depends on the United States' withdrawal from the region and the adoption of a constructive approach by Persian Gulf littoral States.