Iran's Deputy Culture Minister for Arts Affairs Mahmoud Salari termed Iran and Tajikistan as friends during hard times, adding that the two countries' foes want these two nations which share the same language, culture, history and civilization, not remain close friends of each other.

IRNA says he stated this on November 5 during a visit to the Tajik southern city of Kulob. 

During his visit to Kulob city following Iran’s Cultural Week in Tajikistan, he reportedly delivered a statement at the Kulob State University named after Abu Abdullah Roudaki.  

Referring to the history of relations and common historical ties of Iran and Tajikistan as two friendly and brotherly countries, he reportedly noted that Iran and Tajikistan are old friends during hard times, adding that the two countries' enemies have always tried to create divisions and conspiracies between Iran and Tajikistan.

The Days of Iran's Culture kicked off in Dushanbe at a ceremony on October 31, which was attended by ministers of culture of both countries, and ran until November 6.  Some 51 Iranian artists in different fields put their works on display at the event.  A week of Iran’s movies was held in Tajikistan on the sidelines of the Days of Iran’s Culture in Tajikistan.