Iran's president begins a rare visit to Africa 'to promote economic diplomacy'

Open this photo in gallery: Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, left, and Kenya’s President William Ruto, right, give a joint press conference after meeting at State House in Nairobi on July 12.Khalil Senosi/The Associated Press Iran's president has begun a rare visit to Africa as his country, which is under heavy U.S. economic sanctions, seeks to deepen partnerships around the world. President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Kenya on Wednesday is the first to the African continent by an Iranian leader in more than a decade. He is also expected to visit Uganda and Zimbabwe and meet with the presidents there. Africa…