Iranian defense minister in Moscow to boost military ties

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, and Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. The Iranian defense minister is visiting Moscow for talks about closer military cooperation. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service pool photo via AP

MOSCOW, Russia—Iran’s defense minister is visiting Moscow for talks about closer military cooperation.

Gen. Hossein Dehghan met Tuesday with President Vladimir Putin and also also with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu.

Shoigu hailed a “high level of mutual trust” between Moscow and Tehran and their readiness to coordinate policies.

Russia and Iran both have backed Syrian President Bashar Assad throughout Syria’s civil war.

READ: Iran, Russia vow to oppose ‘external attempts’ to dump Assad

Dehghan said in an interview with Russian state television that Tehran wants to expand military and technical ties with Russia.

Russia has a contract with Iran to deliver long-range S-300 air defense missiles, and Tehran also has expressed interest in other Russian weapons.

READ: Russia to deliver advanced S-300 missiles to Iran

Dehghan said earlier this month that Iran plans to sign a deal with Russia for the purchase of Su-30 fighter jets.