![Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan [R] shakes hands with his Iraqi counterpart Maj. Gen. Erfan al-Hiyali after signing a memorandum of understanding on joint military cooperation. Photo: IRNA](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.rudaw.net%2Fs3%2Frudaw.net%2FContentFiles%2F317917Image1.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Iranian IRNA news agency reported that Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan and his Iraqi counterpart Maj. Gen. Erfan al-Hiyali signed a memorandum of understanding which would allow joint military exercises and cooperation.
“The expansion of cooperation and sharing experiences in the fields of fight against terrorism and extremism, border security, training, logistics, technical and military supports were included in the MoU,” IRNA reported.
Hiyali arrived in Tehran on Saturday at the invitation of the Iranian authorities.
The Iraqi defense minister is scheduled to meet other top Iranian political and defense officials, according to IRNA.
Tehran and the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad have enjoyed strong ties since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime in 2003.

The US military has voiced concern over the Tehran’s expansion and influence not only in Iraq but also the region including Yemen and Syria.
