Tehran: Iran's acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Majid Ebn-e-Reza and Malaysia's Defense Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin have stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations and expand defense cooperation during a phone call on Tuesday.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation, including through dialogue, training, and technology transfer. Ebn-e-Reza highlighted the strategic locations of Iran and Malaysia near the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca, respectively, emphasizing the significant potential for exchanging expertise and collaborating on maritime security and safety.

Ebn-e-Reza expressed gratitude to Malaysia for its stance on recent regional developments and its support for Iran amidst US-Israeli aggression. He reiterated Iran's commitment to regional peace and stability, while firmly rejecting illegitimate demands or pressure, and identified Israel's presence and actions as the primary source of regional insecurity.

Khaled underscored Malaysia's commitment to bilateral relations, expressing Kuala Lumpur's readiness to expand defense cooperation through dialogue, training, and technology transfer. He also indicated Malaysia's willingness to explore a framework for defense cooperation with Iran, supporting joint efforts to promote global peace and security.