MojNews_ In a message on Monday, the Iranian president congratulated Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on taking office as the new president of the UAE.

Raisi also pointed to the bedrock of development and expansion of relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi that had been laid during the reign of the recently deceased Emirati president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, expressing hope that the bilateral ties would continue to grow during the tenure of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in order to serve the interests of the two nations.

He hoped that mutual cooperation would strengthen relations in all fields.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 61, became the president of the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

At the helm of the Emirati state, Sheikh Mohamed succeeds his older half bother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, who died on Friday at 73 after leading the Persian Gulf country for 18 years.

Sheikh Mohamed, who had previously served as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, one of the seven city-states that make up the United Arab Emirates, was unanimously chosen as president by a council of the rulers of the seven emirates.