LA PAZ, Bolivia – Bolivia's leftist president says he's moving the country's lone Middle Eastern embassy to Iran as he builds increasingly warm ties with one of Washington's least-favorite countries.

Until now, Bolivia had the embassy in Egypt.

President Evo Morales announced the change at a news conference on Friday following his return from Iran and Libya.

Morales and fellow socialist Hugo Chavez of Venezuela have irked U.S. officials by signing a series of deals with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Many involve petrochemicals, but Morales says Iran will help Bolivia in cement and agriculture as well. Iran is building tractors and automobiles in Venezuela.