Iran, Russia sign cooperation accord

Friday, April 16, 1999

NICOSIA -- Iran and Russia have signed an agreement to cooperate in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas.

In a memorandum of understanding signed in Teheran on Wednesday, the two countries agreed to cooperate in numerous areas including scientific, economic and technical exchange as well as joint exploration and development of oil and gas fields.

Iran and Russia also agreed to cooperate in the construction of underground storage as well as the purchase of equipment required in the petro-chemical industry. The memorandum of understanding said the two countries will also explore the establishment of joint companies.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials continue to assert that Teheran developed an advanced anti-aircraft missile without outside help. Defense Ministry spokesman Kevyan Khosrawi said the Sayyad-1, tested on Wednesday, was produced completely by Iran's aerospace industries which are affiliated with the armed forces. He said the missile was named after late Iranian army commander Lt.-Gen. Ali Sayyad Shirazi, gunned down by the Mujahideen Khalq organization agents, disguised as city cleaners, on April 10 as he was travelling to work.

Khosrawi said that manufacture of the missile would meet a part of Iran's air defense needs for the medium-range and long-range surface-to-air missiles.