On Tuesday October 17, the Minister of Defense, Colonel-General Sherali Mirzo, met here with Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, who is in Dushanbe on an official visit, according to the Tajik Defense Ministry press center.  

As it was noted, the parties discussed state and prospects of further expansion of military cooperation between Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as the current state of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan and development of military technology. 


Mirzo and Ashtiani reportedly also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including the bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran on combating terrorism and extremism.  

The Tajik Defense Ministry press center says it is the first visit of the Iranian defense minister to Tajikistan the meeting ended within signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on military cooperation.

Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Dushanbe on October 17.   

Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani is a member of the Iranian military with the rank of Brigadier General who has served as the minister of defense since 2021.  Ashtiani was sworn in on August 25, 2021, replacing Brigadier General Amir Hatami who had held role since 2017.