During a visit to Teheran, Patrushev is said to have reached agreement
with Iran to conduct an intelligence exchange as well as regular strategic
sessions. He said Russia would also work with Iran on regional security
cooperation.
"We have agreed on cooperation between our Security Council staffs,"
Patrushev said on Aug. 16.
This marked the first report of high-level security cooperation between
Moscow and Teheran. Over the last 20 years, Russia has been a major weapons
supplier as well as prime contractor of Iran's first nuclear energy reactor.
Officials said Russia would also help Iran join a six-member Asian
security group. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, established in 2001,
contains Russia as well as China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.
"We have addressed regional cooperation and intend to consolidate
regional security mainly under the aegis of the United Nations," Patrushev
said. "The outlook for cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization is good."
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