CDMX — Several landmarks in the Mexican capital were lit in the colors of Iran’s flag this week to mark “Tehran Day,” in what Iran’s embassy called a gesture of friendship between the two countries.

The Ángel de la Independencia, the Diana Cazadora and the Monumento a Cuauhtémoc were illuminated in green, white and red, SDP Noticias reported.

The capital center of Zócalo was lit as well.

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, attended a ceremony at the Ángel de la Independencia, where the national anthems of both countries were played. Representatives of the Mexico City government’s international affairs office were also present.

“Tonight, Independence Plaza is lit in the colors of Iran,” Pasandideh said. He called the lighting a message that distance does not stop two nations from drawing closer and added:

“Long live the friendship between Iran and Mexico.”

Iran’s embassy thanked the city on social media. “Thank you, Mexico, for this lovely gesture,” it wrote, calling the act a symbol of friendship that supports cultural exchange.

Pasandideh noted that about three weeks earlier, Tehran’s Azadi Tower had been lit in Mexico’s colors for the 216th anniversary of Mexican independence on September 15. Mexico News Daily reported it was the first time Iran lit a monument in honor of Mexico.

The outlet also noted that green, white and red are the colors of both countries’ flags. Mexico’s ambassador to Iran, Guillermo Puente Ordorica, called the tribute “a great gesture of friendship.”

The gesture comes as the two governments have drawn closer in public. In May, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico would host Iran’s national team during the World Cup after the U.S. government reportedly did not want the team to stay overnight in the United States.

Tijuana was the likely base. In early September, Pasandideh told Publimetro he valued Sheinbaum’s foreign policy for its “respect for the popular vote and non-intervention” and said the two countries’ relations are “independent of external pressures.”

But also noted that bilateral trade is limited.