The defence ministers of China and Iran have agreed on closer cooperation on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO, being held in Kazakhstan.

Iran’s Brigadier General, Mohammed-Reza Astiani said: “Improved cooperation and rapprochement on both sides is needed to resolve regional and international security problems.”He spoke after talks with China’s Admiral Dong Jun in Astana, the Kazakh capital.

Iran is internationally isolated on account of its nuclear programme and its support of non-state militant groups in the Middle East.It has responded by improving ties with Russia and China.In moves to find new partners, Tehran joined the SCO in July 2023.

At the beginning of the year, it joined the BRICS organisation, whose original members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.China has become the primary customer for Iranian oil and a significant economic partner.The two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.