Iranian politicians reacted to the death of Fidel Castro, the longtime revolutionary leader of Cuba, by offering condolences and expressing their feelings about his demise. Meanwhile, an Iranian delegation is set to attend Castro's funeral Dec. 4.

Iran and Cuba, despite deep dissimilarities in ideology, have developed close ties since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. During the past four decades, most high-ranking Iranian politicians have traveled to Cuba and held meetings with Castro. On May 9, 2001, the former Cuban leader visited Iran and met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On Nov. 26, President Hassan Rouhani, in a message to his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, expressed its sympathy for the Cuban government and nation over Castro’s death, saying it caused Rouhani to feel “grief and sorrow.” Rouhani had met Castro during an official visit to Cuba on Sept. 19.

Rouhani hailed Castro as having been an example of “free men and warriors who do not give up fighting until the last days of their lives in order to keep the flag of justice- and freedom-seeking waving in the hearts of people.”