Russia seeks Iranian military links

Sergeyev: Co-operation "good for security"

The Russian Defence Minister, Igor Sergeyev, spoke of strengthening military ties with Iran, as he arrived in Tehran on an official visit on Tuesday.

Iranian-Russian military co-operation is not directed against any third country

Russian Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev

His three-day visit is the first of its kind since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

It comes less than two months after Moscow unilaterally scrapped a five-year-old agreement with the United States not to supply Iran with arms.

"Iranian-Russian military co-operation is not directed against any third country," Mr Sergeyev told journalists on his arrival.

"We are convinced that strengthening military co-operation between Iran and Russia is a good base for the region's security and stability."

Both the Russians and Iran say they are keen to develop military co-operation. However, it is thought unlikely that any specific deals will be concluded on this visit.

Our correspondent Jim Muir says the visit is an important one for both sides. For Iran, building closer co-operation with Moscow in military and other fields offers a practical way of resisting what it sees as American global hegemony.

Lucrative market

For Russia, Iran represents a lucrative arms market and a potentially important ally in a highly strategic area.

Admiral Ali Shamkhani: Co-operation 'inevitable'

However Moscow is defying American wishes in pursuing military ties with Tehran.

In early November, the Russians notified Washington that they were scrapping a secret understanding reached in 1995 not to supply Iran with military hardware such as tanks and submarines.

The US has hinted at trade reprisals against Moscow but nothing has materialised and the Russians are going ahead with this first visit to Tehran by their defence minister since the Islamic Revolution nearly 22 years ago.

Mr Sergeyev's Iranian counterpart, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, said that prevailing international conditions and the two countries' strategic locations made close co-operation inevitable.

Fact-finding trip

But Russian officials have said no new deals will be concluded on this visit and are portraying it as largely a fact-finding trip which will enable them to assess the Iranian army.

Iran and Russia are united in their dislike of the Taliban

Mr Sergeyev is to visit military installations as well as holding talks with Iranian military and political leaders.

Despite Russian and Iranian denials, the Americans are convinced that Russian defence institutions are already helping Iran develop long-range missiles such as the recently-announced Shahab III, which has a range of 1300km (800 miles).

The Russians insist they will under no circumstances help Iran to develop weapons of mass destruction.

In fact stopping the proliferation of such weapons is an item on the agenda in the talks, as is co-operation over Afghanistan, whose Taleban regime is heartily disliked by both countries.