�Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says the desire for independence, freedom, and justice is the common characteristic of the revolutions of the people of Iran and Nicaragua.






He made the remarks while addressing a group of Nicaraguan people after he was welcomed by his counterpart, Daniel Ortega, on Tuesday evening local time.

Raisi honored the national heroes of the two countries in the fight against imperialism, saying fighting bullying and arrogance is the key to the success of the two nations.

�Westerners, especially Americans, should respect the governments that are based on people�s votes, but they do the opposite,� he noted.

He also called the Iran-Nicaragua relations �strategic�, saying the Islamic Republic is ready to expand the bilateral ties in all areas, especially science and technology.

The Nicaraguan president, for his part, referred to the simultaneity of the revolutions of Iran and Nicaragua, saying the revolutions of the two countries had strong roots in the struggle against the domination of hegemonic powers, particularly the United States, which has always sought to impose its will on others.

Ortega said seeking to dominate other nations is part of the nature of imperial powers, adding that they pressure independent countries under the pretext of human rights and democracy, �but we still stand against them with strength.�

He concluded his speech by hailing the national heroes of the two countries, condemning Washington�s crime of assassinating Iran�s Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, and declaring a minute of silence in honor of the Iranian hero of the fight against terrorism.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, President Raisi arrived in Managua�on Tuesday evening local time to begin the second leg of his tour to three friendly Latin American countries.

The Iranian president arrived in Venezuela on Monday to meet with top Venezuelan officials, including President Nicolas Maduro.

He is also scheduled to visit Cuba, where he will conclude his Latin America tour.

By IRNA