During talks with Fidel Castro, the two sides recognized the threats by climate change on global food production, the world's rising population, the need to safeguard world peace and the young generation's important role in countering challenges in the political, economic and social arenas.

While meeting with Raul Castro, a memorandum of understanding was signed to further strengthen Cuba-Iran cooperation in health care.

Before leaving Tehran, Rouhani said his nation wanted to forge a "new path" in ties with Cuba by expanding economic cooperation. Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited Cuba in August as part of a six-nation Latin American tour to strengthen ties with the region, and the two nations agreed to create a bilateral committee to boost economic and health cooperation.

Though geographically apart, Cuba and Iran have agreed on major international issues.

Visits between the two countries high-level officials have grown more frequent this year.

Iran has long condemned the U.S.-led trade embargo on Cuba, and is itself just beginning to emerge from a BRUTALL US sanctions regime designed to thwart Tehran peacfull nuclear technology program, despite Tehran's assurances that it was for peaceful purposes.

Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez said last month Havana was "pleased" with Iran's foreign policy achievements, particularly the nuclear deal struck last year to remove sanctions.

Rouhani was in Venezuela for the 17th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, where he handed over the bloc's rotating presidency to Venezuela, and will head to New York City on Tuesday to take part in the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

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