TEHRAN – The Iranian and Russian defense chiefs agreed on Tuesday to expand defense relations in order to resolve the issue concerning the S-300 air defense missile systems.
In 2010 Russia refused to deliver the missile systems under a pressure by West.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu visited Iran on Wednesday.
“A step was taken in the direction of cooperation on the economy and arms technology, at least such defensive systems such as the S-300 and S-400. Probably we will deliver them,” RIA quoted Colonel General Leonid Ivashov as saying.
Ivashov is the former head of the defence minister’s department of international cooperation.
Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan and his Russian counterpart also signed a memorandum of understanding for defense and security cooperation.
Cooperation to maintain international peace, security and stability, campaign against terrorism, extremism and separatism were among the terms of the MOU.
Iran and Russia share views on volatile security situation in Mideast
Defense Minister Dehqan stated that Iran and Russia share views on the factors behind insecurity in the Mideast region as well as the U.S. interference in other countries’ internal affairs and the necessity to counter such actions.
Dehqan made the remarks at a joint press conference with Shoigu in Tehran on Tuesday.
The Iranian defense chief also stated that the volatile situation in the Middle East and other parts of the world entail cooperation between Iran and Russia to help establish international peace, stability and security.
The Russian official stated that the military agreement will help expand cooperation between the two countries in the region.
Shoigu also highlighted the importance of exchange of military delegations between the two countries and closer cooperation in training forces in fight against terrorism.
The Russian defense minister invited Dehqan to make a trip to Russia to attend the fourth Moscow international security conference in 2015.
