WANA (Apr 15) – Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh met on Tuesday with Tajik Defense Minister Lieutenant General Imamali Saberzade in Tehran, marking Saberzade’s first foreign visit since his appointment. Nasirzadeh congratulated him on the new role and said choosing Tehran as the first destination reflects the special place of defense cooperation in bilateral ties.

 

Nasirzadeh emphasized the countries’ deep linguistic, cultural, religious, and historical ties, calling Tajikistan a prominent partner in Iran’s foreign policy. He noted Iran’s strategic and respectful approach to relations with Tajikistan, referring to the Supreme Leader’s description of ties as ones of “brotherhood and kinship.”

 

Highlighting repeated presidential meetings over the past three decades, he said the two nations are committed to deepening cooperation. He also pointed to the recent visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Dushanbe and the signing of 22 cooperation agreements as a milestone in bilateral relations. The minister praised alignment in regional and international forums.

 

Nasirzadeh stressed the need for joint efforts against terrorism and extremism amid fast-moving global security challenges. He also called for greater coordination within international organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

 

Condemning the silence of some human rights bodies on the Israeli regime’s war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon, he urged global pressure to stop the killing of innocent civilians.

 

Saberzade, for his part, highlighted the countries’ shared values and past achievements. He affirmed that bilateral defense ties are backed by both governments and formal agreements. He called for deeper defense collaboration and joint efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, arms trafficking, and organized crime to enhance regional security.

 

The meeting concluded with both sides exchanging views on defense matters.