Iran, Tajikistan to boost defense ties

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi and the foreign minister of Tajikistan, Hamrokhon Zarifi, have discussed mutual defense issues as well as the region.

During the meeting held in Dushanbe on Friday, Zarifi described defense cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan as “very important and strategic,” IRNA reported.

He also said that Tajikistan “will use all its diplomatic capacity in order to develop ties with Iran, specially on defense issues.”

General Vahidi stated that strong neighbors can provide necessary grounds for regional improvement and development and that the Islamic Republic has always considered its neighbors’ might a complement to its own power.

The top Iranian defense official highlighted that a long-term trilateral cooperation among Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan has had a positive and constructive effect on regional issues.

The bonds among the three Persian-speaking neighbors will further enforce peace and stability in the region, Vahidi said.