While the United States attempted to normalize relations with both Iran and Cuba, it appears the real result is a renewed friendliness between Iran and Cuba at the cost of the U.S. taxpayer, that $1.7 billion or more.
It also must be noted that Cuban refugees continue to appear on American shores but now we must question how many of them are terrorists and what are they bringing with them. Iceberg ahead.
It is also important to note that the Cuban military runs all tourism and the hospitality industry as the United States has opened those travel channels.
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Related reading: Breaking Sanctions with Cuba?
Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism, that is until the White House decided it was no longer.
Cuba supports Iran’s nuclear ambitions and opposed IAEA rebukes of secret Iranian enrichment sites. The two countries have banking agreements (Islamic Republic News Agency), economic cooperation and lines of credit ( FNA), and three-way energy-focused treaties with Bolivia (CSMonitor). Cuba and Iran hold regular ‘Joint Economic Commission’ meetings; the latest, in November 2009, further expanded bilateral trade and economic ties.
Related reading: The U.S. has had a Russian Problem of Espionage for Decades
One of Cuba’s largest and long-term industries is spying and selling intelligence and secrets globally.
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Iran says will open new chapter in relations with Cuba
Reuters: Kicking off a six-day tour of Latin America, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday in Havana his visit would open a new chapter in the Islamic Republic’s relations with Communist-ruled Cuba.
Iran, which has long been friendly with Cuba, is on a drive to improve foreign commerce after the removal in January of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
“We will start a new chapter in the bilateral relations with Cuba on the basis of a big (business) delegation accompanying me on this visit,” Zarif said at a meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez.
The international community lifted sanctions on Iran as part of the deal under which Tehran curbed its nuclear program.
Rodriguez congratulated Iran on the “success of its foreign policy” while reiterating its longstanding support for “all countries to develop nuclear energy with pacific ends”.
Cuba and Iran have in common a long stand-off with the United States. They were both on the U.S. State Department’s list of terrorism sponsoring countries until Havana was removed last year as part of a detente with Washington.
“We have always been on the side of the great Cuban people in view of atrocities and unjust sanctions,” Zarif said.
“The government and Cuban people have also always shown us solidarity with regards to the atrocities committed by the empire.”
Zarif’s tour will also take him to Chile, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Venezuela.
Just last week, Cuba’s new Economy Minister Ricardo Cabrisas made a trip to Tehran where he met with President Hassan Rouhani.
German exports to Iran, mostly machines and equipment, jumped in the first half of the year following the removal of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic, official trade data showed on Monday
