Castro finds new friends in Iran

Cuban President Fidel Castro ended a three-day visit to Iran today, saying he had found new friends and was optimistic about future relations between the two nations.

Dressed in his usual olive-green military fatigues, which he had shed for two days of meetings with Iranian officials, Castro received an official farewell at Tehran’s Saadabad Palace from President Mohammad Khatami.

‘‘I had friends in Iran, but with this visit I have found new friends,’’ Castro said at the farewell ceremony. ‘‘This was a memorable visit for me. I leave with optimism about future ties.’’

After bidding Castro farewell, Khatami said: ‘‘This visit was not about exploring new issues, but about expressing the two countries’ will strengthen ties.’’

Castro has received something of a hero’s welcome in Iran, where his 40-year struggle against the United States is admired.

Both countries are under unilateral US sanctions and, year after year, both appear on Washington’s list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

In a joint statement the two countries condemned terrorism as well as the sanctions.

They also called for establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the return of all Palestinian refugees to their homeland.