Iran, Tajikistan set for expansion of defense cooperation: Hatami

Iranian Minister of Defense Brigadier General Amir Hatami has hailed deep-rooted, cordial relations with Tajikistan, saying the two countries are moving towards the further expansion of cooperation in the defense and military sectors on the basis of mutual respect and confidence.

In a meeting with his visiting Tajik counterpart, Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, in Tehran on Tuesday, Hatami said Iran’s foreign policy has always attached great significance to ties with Tajikistan.

“The role of Tajikistan in Central Asia has increased the status and significance of relations,” he added.

He emphasized that the commonalities between the two nations can create great capacities to improve relations, saying enemies have been at work at various junctures to hamper the further expansion of ties, which would be beneficial to both countries.

Hatami further said that Iran has managed to make great achievements in various fields despite facing cruel sanctions and heavy pressure in recent years, adding, “Fortunately, in October 2020, the arms embargo against the Islamic Republic of Iran ended in accordance with a Security Council resolution, and we have no problem now with exporting defense items and equipment.”

The embargo was lifted in line with the five-year timetable set out in the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The Iranian defense chief also expressed concern over the presence of Daesh terrorists and other extremist groups in certain regional states, saying, “We have always voiced our opposition to the presence of trans-regional forces in different wars and conflicts. It makes no difference whether this presence is in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere.”

He reiterated Iran’s stance on the need to resolve issues in the region through collective cooperation among the regional countries.

Iran has paid a high price to restore peace and stability to the region, he said, describing the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, the hero of the fight against terrorism and extremism, as the most important and an irreparable damage that the country suffered on that path.

The Tajik defense minister, for his part, said his country is determined to improve political, military and defense cooperation with Iran.

He added that cooperation between the two countries plays a very important role in establishing peace, stability and security in the region.

Mirzo emphasized that conflicts and insecurity in the region redouble the necessity for mutual cooperation in the fight against terrorism, smuggling of commodities and drugs and in the development of regional security.

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