Iranian media reports say Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, heading a high-profile delegation arrived in Dushanbe on May 16 to discuss issues of expanding military cooperation with Tajikistan.  

IRNA says Major-General Bagheri and the accompanying military delegation were welcomed by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan, Lieutenant-General Imomali Sobirzoda, who is also the first Deputy Minister of Defense of Tajikistan.  

Bagheri reportedly said on arrival that his trip was aimed at strengthening military and defense cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan, as the two countries are located in a single geopolitical region.

He said that he would meet Tajik military and political officials, including Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, during the visit.

Mehr News Agency says Major-General Bagheri is also scheduled to “visit military bases and defense projects of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan.”

According to Iran Press TV, Bagheri is paying visit to Tajikistan at the official invitation of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan.