Recent moves by Russia to raise the price Belarus pays for its oil and gas have prompted Minsk to seek alternative sources of energy. Vladimir Semashko, the first deputy prime minister said Minsk is considering an oil production partnership with Iran.
During his visit to Tehran January 21-22, Belarusian Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev signed with his Iranian counterpart, Mostafa Mohammad Najar, a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.
The parties agreed on two-way visits by expert delegations, military and technical cooperation, interaction in staff training, and consultations at the level of defense ministers.
The ministers discussed issues of international security, prospects for bilateral cooperation, and experience in forming national defense forces.
The two countries have become increasingly isolated internationally over Iran's nuclear program and Belarus's poor human rights record, and both are subject to sanctions by Western powers.
