Cuba, Iran Strengthen Ties as Trump Menace Threatens Both

As the presidency of Donald Trump threatens to renew hostilities against both countries, Iran and Cuba signed 12 new cooperation agreements Thursday as the Intergovernmental Commission comes to a close in Havana.

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The agreements and memorandums of understanding cover a broad range of fields from agriculture, health, biotechnology and higher education.

While Iran and Cuba have historically maintained close relations, the agreements mark a new stage of even closer collaboration and exchange.

Under the bilateral pacts, Cuban Institute of Radio and Television and Iranian network HispanTV will enter into a memorandum of understanding as the two countries look to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation.

“In the political arena, we are two countries which have common positions on international issues. As non-aligned countries, we support each other mutually,” said Iranian Health Minister Seyyed Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi at a press conference following the signing.

The strengthened relations come as Iran and Cuba find themselves in the crosshairs of the new U.S. administration which has been increasingly hostile to both nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to scrap the nuclear deal with Iran and put the country “on notice” for test-firing a ballistic missile in early February.

Trump’s administration has also promised to “review” agreements made between former President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro which sought to ease sanctions which deprived the Cuban people and economy for over five decades.