Tehran, Iran, Feb. 22
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
Iran and Russia discussed the defense requirements of the Islamic Republic during the recent visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to Tehran, Hossein Jaber Ansari, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said.
"Regarding the delivery of the S-300 missile system to Tehran, we discussed technical issues where agreements are needed," Jaber Ansari said during a press conference in Tehran Feb.22, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.
Sergei Shoigu arrived in Tehran Feb. 22 and held talks with senior Iranian officials on the latest regional developments and ways to promote defense and military cooperation.
The trip comes less than a week after Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan paid a visit to Moscow and discussed mutual relations as well as regional and international developments with President Vladimir Putin, Shoigu and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.
Further in his remarks, Jaber Ansari touched upon the ongoing crisis in Syria saying the success of any approach to Syria depends on fighting terrorists and cutting them off money and military aid.
"Terrorists have never favored ceasefire or considered political solution in Syria," he said, adding the conclusion is that, fighting terrorists is necessary to any political solution.
Current plans for Syria will only succeed if terrorist groups are put out of the way of policy-making for Syria, the spokesman said.
"If not so, then these very groups will hamper any attempt," he underlined.
Jaber Ansari also rejected Saudi Arabian media's spying accusation, saying these are calculated moves by Saudi media.
They did the same in days leading to execution of prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, he said, adding "these issues are domestic, Saudis tries to say they emanate from abroad."
He also said that the Saudi Arabia should end such "useless games."
Saudi Arabia has put 32 people on trial, including an Iranian and an Afghan, accused of spying for Iran, the Saudi media reported Feb. 22.
The crisis erupted between Riyadh and Tehran after execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Saudis on Jan. 2. Following the execution, angry Iranian protesters attacked Saudi embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad. Right after the attacks on its diplomatic missions, the Saudi Arabia said it severed ties with the Islamic Republic.