Tehran: Science Minister Hossein Simaei and Cuba's Higher Education Minister Walter Baluja Garcia agreed on Saturday to expand academic and research cooperation during a meeting in Tehran, where the Cuban official was attending the memorial ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Simaei highlighted the late Leader's strategy of a 'resistance economy' aimed at mitigating the impact of sanctions, which he asserted had aided the country in overcoming numerous economic challenges. He also described former Cuban leader Fidel Castro as an influential figure for many Iranian revolutionaries and expressed hope that Cuba, like Iran, would withstand US pressures.

Baluja Garcia offered condolences over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei and congratulated the Islamic Republic on its victory in the recent US-Israeli-imposed war against the country. He praised Iran's scientific and technological achievements despite sanctions and reaffirmed Havana's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in higher education and scientific research.

The Cuban minister noted that Iran and Cuba shared similar experiences in facing external pressure and sanctions, suggesting that both nations could make greater use of each other's scientific and academic capabilities to deepen their collaboration.