Russia’s ambassador to NATO announced on Friday plans to travel to Iran later this month to discuss its ballistic missile program and the U.S.-led missile shield in Europe.
NATO’s defense plan received a boost on Friday after Turkey joined the ambitious scheme, aimed at countering missile threats from Iran.
Russia has agreed to cooperate on the plan, but warned it may strengthen its own defenses if it is not made a full partner in the U.S.-led shield.
Speaking to RIA Novosti on Friday, envoy Dmitry Rogozin said Iran wanted more information about the missile talks.
“We, in turn, are interested in getting clarification from the Iranian side over its plans to develop missiles which are often referred to with alarm by our U.S. and European partners,” Rogozin said.
“I hope this mission to Tehran will be a fruitful one,” he added.