President Rouhani also expressed hope that the two nations would witness development of stability and security in the region, IRNA reported.

Sheikh Nawaf took up the reins of the Persian Gulf state after his predecessor Sheikh Sabah died on Tuesday at the age of 91 in the United States where he had been hospitalized since July after undergoing a surgery for an unspecified condition.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with the new Emir of Kuwait.

Zarif traveled to Kuwait City on an official visit, directed by President Rouhani, the Foreign Ministry reported on Sunday.

Zarif congratulated Sheikh Nawaf, the late Sheikh Sabah’s half-brother, for ascending the throne as the new emir.

The top diplomat also met with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah.

During both meetings, Zarif expressed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for Kuwait.