Iranian and Iraqi defense ministers conferred about expansion of defense and security ties in a meeting here in Tehran on Sunday, where the two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on military cooperation.

Iran's Defense Minister calls for close defense cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad to ensure regional security and sovereignty.

"We believe that sustainable Iran-Iraq defense cooperation will play a positive role in promoting long-term peace, security and stability in the Middle East," said Major General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar in a Sunday meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Mohamed Abdel-Qadir al-Jassem.

He stressed that the strategic position of both Iran and Iraq has provided the two countries with great potential for broad security and defense cooperation.

"The Islamic Republic is fully committed to the government of Nouri al-Maliki and feels obligated to help stabilize Iraq by strengthening its armed forces," Mohammad-Najjar explained.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrived in Tehran on Saturday for a three-day visit to discuss crucial issues such as the US-proposed Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Iranian officials.

The US currently hopes to sign the agreement with Iraq to give legal basis to a long-term military and political presence in the oil-rich country after December 31 when the UN resolution defining its status expires.

While the security deal is scheduled to be signed by the end of July, widespread protests in Iraq have cast doubt on the possibility of the finalization of the agreement.

The deal is seen by many in the oil-rich country as Washington's new attempt to change Iraq into a US colony.

© Fars News Agency
© Press TV