Iran and Russia to boost military cooperation - minister

"Tehran and Moscow are to review ways to enhance military cooperation during an upcoming visit to Russia by the Iranian defense minister," the agency said.

Najjar was scheduled to travel to Moscow on Monday to discuss military and technical cooperation and review implementation of agreements inked by the two countries, according to Iran's defense ministry.�

He will also pay a visit to Russian defense industries.�

In December, Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Organization for Military and Technical Cooperation Alexander Foumin said his country intended to expand joint cooperation with Iran, which would have a positive impact on stability in the Middle East region.

Such a cooperation has raised concerns about the rising military capabilities of Iran, as Western observers have elaborated.

However, earlier this month, Iranian ambassador to Russia Seyed Mahmoud Reza Sajjadi played down such concerns.

"Probably, there will be some changes, but generally the scale of this cooperation is not that large as (the media) allege," Sajjadi was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as telling a news conference in Moscow.

"We think that Iran-Russia military-technical cooperation is slightly exaggerated,” he added.