Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar arrived in Venezuela on Sunday, on an official visit aimed at boosting defense ties.
Najjar, the first Iranian defense minister to visit the Latin American state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was welcomed by his Venezuelan counterpart, Raul Baduel, and Vice President Ramon Alonso Carrizales, reports the semi-official ISNA news agency.
During his three-day visit to Caracas, Najjar is expected to discuss issues of mutual interests and the expansion of bilateral cooperation.
Najjar will also tour Venezuelan military and industrial centers, reports ISNA.
According to Iran’s state-run Press TV network, the two countries may add joint defense projects, to the increasing economic and trade cooperation between the two states.
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit Venezuela next month, on a Latin America tour that includes a stop in Brazil.