Tasnim � Iran�s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan denounced Israel�s settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories that put the Middle East security in jeopardy, calling for concerted action against the Zionist projects.

�The Zionist regime�s recent moves to expand settlement construction in the occupied (Palestinian) territories and break the international regulations and principles are among the measures causing insecurity in the region, which should be countered comprehensively,� Dehqan said at a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Vigen Sargsyan in Tehran on Tuesday.

General Dehqan then stressed Iran�s principled policy of �constant and decisive fight against terrorism� and sources of insecurity and instability in the region, , saying the Islamic Republic has already borne the cost of establishment of peace, stability and sustainable security in the region.

Dehqan further highlighted the importance that Iran attaches to good neighborliness and to the highest level of relations with its neighbors and voiced Iran�s preparedness to boost cooperation with its northwestern neighbor, Armenia.

Sargsyan, for his part, hailed Iran for its efforts to tackle tensions and crises in the region.

He also welcomed Iran�s role in settling a conflict between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, stressing that the conflict has no military solution.

Armenia shares views with Iran on the war against terrorism and is ready for cooperation, he went on to say.

The Armenian defense minister arrived in Tehran on Monday night and met with his Iranian opposite number after an official welcome ceremony this morning.