DUSHANBE Iran's Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani on Friday stressed defense cooperation between Tehran and Dushanbe will not be to the prejudice of any third country.

After meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov in Dushanbe, Shamkhani told reporters, "The long-term widening of military cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran is aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region."

"I hope that the two countries can make joint efforts to fight against regional insecurity and infiltration of transregional forces, and establish a lasting peace in the region."

Meanwhile, Tajik Defense Minister General Sherali Khairullayev told journalists that Iran can be of great help in equipping Tajik military.

Also, Iran's defense minister has said that cooperation between Iran, Tajikistan and Russia may ensure stability and peace in the region, ITAR-TASS reported Friday.

The agency said that Shamkhani made the call after a meeting with Tajik president.

The Iranian defense minister said that upon conclusion of his visit to Dushanbe he intended to hold talks in Moscow, it added.

During the visit to Dushanbe the sides discussed prospects for bilateral Tajik-Iranian relations in the military and technical fields, as well as implementation of the earlier signed documents.

Shamkhani arrived in Tajik capital Thursday for a two-day state visit aimed at broadening military cooperation.