Iran and Russia to expand cooperation

Iran's defence minister said on Monday that Iran and Russia intend to expand cooperation in the military and security fields, the official IRNA news agency reported. "The geographic position of the two countries in this sensitive region necessitates close cooperation," Rear-Admiral Ali Shamkhani was quoted as saying. "In accordance with Iran's foreign policy, development of military ties with Russia is high on the agenda." Shamkhani's spoke before an official visit by Russian Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev, the first since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution which toppled the Western-backed Shah. Sergeyev is to arrive in Tehran on Tuesday for a three-day visit.