Iran and China agree on closer military cooperation

The defense ministers of China and Iran have agreed on closer cooperation on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO, to be held in Kazakhstan.

Iranian Brigadier General Mohammed-Reza Astiani said: “Improved cooperation and rapprochement on both sides is needed to resolve regional and international security challenges.”

He spoke after talks with Chinese Admiral Dong Jun in Astana, the Kazakh capital.

Iran is internationally isolated because of its nuclear program and its support of non-state militant groups in the Middle East.

The country has responded by improving ties with Russia and China.

In search of new partners, Tehran joined the SCO in July 2023.

Early this year it joined the BRICS organization, whose original members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

China has become the main buyer of Iranian oil and an important economic partner.

The two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.