KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 —  Malaysia is ready to expand and strengthen more substantive defence cooperation with Iran based on the close friendship between the two countries.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this was conveyed during his telephone conversation with Iran’s Acting Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics, Brigadier General Seyed Majid Ebn-e-Reza.

In a Facebook post yesterday, he said Malaysia also hoped that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation could be finalised as an official instrument to strengthen defence ties between the two countries.

“I also welcomed Iran’s participation in next year’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) as a platform to expand relations and explore broader defence cooperation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khaled conveyed Malaysia’s condolences over the deaths of Iranian leaders, security personnel and civilians who were killed in the conflict in West Asia.

He said Malaysia hoped a ceasefire could be maintained and that dialogue and diplomatic solutions would continue to be given space in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

He also described Iran as having demonstrated resilience, including through its independently developed defence capabilities.

“Malaysia also appreciates Iran’s cooperation and good treatment in facilitating passage during the conflict. The security of maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, must continue to be safeguarded,” he said. — Bernama