TEHRAN -- The Iranian Defense Ministry’s strategy is to expand defense cooperation with the littoral states of the Persian Gulf, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Wednesday.

Vahidi made the remarks upon his arrival in Doha for a two-day visit to Qatar.
It is very important to increase defense cooperation with regional states since establishing stability and lasting security in the Persian Gulf region is a top priority of Iran’s active diplomacy, he stated.
He also said that Tehran-Doha ties can serve as a model for regional nations because the two countries are constructively cooperating on regional issues.
In a meeting with Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Vahidi said that regional defense cooperation is the only way to handle security crises in the region.
In light of the current situation, regional countries must actively cooperate in security and defense issues, he added.
He went on to say that Iran uses its defense capabilities to help maintain security and stability in the region and noted that Iran’s defense capabilities do not pose a threat to any nation.
The Qatari crown prince said the historical relationship of the two countries is the reason for their satisfactory defense cooperation.
The defense cooperation agreement signed by the two nations is a constructive step toward the expansion of bilateral ties in all areas, he added.
On Wednesday, Vahidi and Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah signed a defense cooperation agreement in which the two countries stressed the need to expand their defense cooperation.
According to the agreement, Iran and Qatar will exchange specialized and technical committees, will expand cooperation in training, and will conduct joint campaigns against terrorism and insecurity in the region