Visiting Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev conferred here Saturday with his Iranian counterpart Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani and later signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on expansion of defense cooperation between the two countries.

The MoU calls for expansion of technical, logistics and educational cooperation between the two sides.

Speaking to reporters, Shamkhani said that under the MoU, Iran will help Tajik military personnel maintain and overhaul military equipment, provide them with various educational courses in military and enforcement of border guards.

Expansion of defense and military cooperation between countries in the region will deter foreign forces who aim to find a foothold in the region on the pretext of restoring security, he said.

Referring to the visit of the Tajik defense minister to Iran as well as his recent visit to Baku, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran has undertaken confidence-building measures and expansion of defense and military cooperation with Central Asian states and Caucuses to reduce the threats resulting from the ceding of military bases to third countries.

Comparing Iran's defense and military capabilities from the time he first visited Iran in 1999 up to his current tour, the Tajik defense minister said the country has experienced a very successful scientific breakthrough in the field such that it could be considered as among top military powers in the world.

Highlighting Iran's very high capabilities in military industries, he said Iran helped Tajik juvenile military industry undergo significant development among its counterparts in Central Asian states and reach the highest defense capabilities.

On Iran's peaceful application of nuclear technology, he said there is no need for any nuclear weapons since the country's military might is very remarkable but 'I believe that the country should benefit from peaceful advantages of nuclear technology'.

During the five-day visit to Iran, the Tajik defense delegation will meet with a number of political and military officials and become familiar with the country's defense industries and capabilities.