The defence ministers of China and Iran have agreed on closer cooperation on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO, being held in Kazakhstan. Iran’s Brigadier General, Mohammed-Reza Astiani said: “Improved cooperation and rapprochement on both sides is needed to resolve regional and international security problems.” He spoke after talks with China’s Admiral Dong Jun in Astana, the Kazakh capital. Iran is internationally isolated on account of its nuclear programme and its support of non-state militant groups in the Middle East. It has responded by improving t…