TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due to visit 6 Latin American states next week to further expand bilateral relations and foil the Iranophobia plots promoted by Israel.

"A 60-member economic delegation will accompany Zarif in his first visit to 6 Latin American countries (Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Chili, Bolivia and Venezuela)," Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi told reporters in Tehran on Wednesday.

Expressing concern that certain countries and regimes are attempting to impair relations between Iran and the Latin American states, he said, "We have seen such moves in Latin America too and the Zionist regime has for years made attempts to this end and continues its attempts."

"Certain regional states have also joined the Zionist regime and display a wrong image of Iran in line with Iranophobia plots," Takht Ravanchi added.

He said that Zarif's visit to the Latin American states is a highly good opportunity for the further expansion of ties between them and Tehran in different fields, specially in economic areas.

Iran has been seeking to broaden ties and cooperation with Latin American states, including Venezuela, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Mexico and Colombia.

Iran's strong and rapidly growing ties with Latin America have raised eyebrows in the US and its western allies since Tehran and Latin nations have forged an alliance against the imperialist and colonialist powers and are striving hard to reinvigorate their relations with the other independent countries which pursue a line of policy independent from the US.

In relevant remarks in April, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Uruguay's Vice-President Raul Sendic Rodriguez underscored Tehran's firm determination to expand relations with the Latin American states.

"Tehran and Montevideo enjoy strong determination to develop their highly intimate and friendly relations in all fields and no third country can affect these ties," Rouhani said during the meeting in Tehran.

He underlined the necessity for the activation of the two countries' private sectors, and said a new chapter will open in bilateral relations by setting up a joint economic commission and implementation of the past agreements.

"Expansion and deepening of relations with the Latin American countries is among the Islamic Republic of Iran's principled policies," Rouhani underlined.

During the meeting, Rodriguez, who was heading a large delegation of Uruguayan businesspersons in Iran visit, stressed the necessity for more coordination and consultations with Tehran on the regional and international issues, and said his country is determined to enhance the level of cooperation with Tehran in the fields of mutual interest.

By Fars News Agency