The Solomon Islands government has come under fire over its moves to strengthen bilateral ties with Iran, a country branded by the United States as a member of the "axis of evil."
The latest move by the government to improve bilateral ties with Iran was revealed by Member of Parliament, Hon. Peter Boyers, during the Foreign Relations Committee meeting yesterday.It is understood that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. William Haomae and his Permanent Secretary are enroute to Iran.
The opposition leader, Manasseh Sogavare, condemned moves by the government and the Foreign Minister to establish diplomatic ties with Iran.
"I'm shocked that a government that boasts itself to believe in the principles that other members of the international community believe in such as democracy, good governance and the fight against terrorism can entertain a country that works against every principles that all right thinking governments of the world believe," said Sogavare.
Iran is located in the Middle East, bounded by Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, Iraq and Turkey.