国际英语新闻：Iran, Venezuela sign agreements, call ties strategic

Ahmadinejad added that Tehran and Caracas share proximity of stands on international issues.

The agreements reached are of great importance for the two nations, Chavez said for his part, adding that, "through such cooperation we are expanding the dimensions of our unified will towards the establishment of a new world order based on justice and equality of all nations."

Chavez said that 11 years ago with the victory of the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, Iran and Venezuela began a campaign which was aimed at establishing a new world order, according to IRNA.

He reiterated his country's support for Tehran in face of the West's imposed sanction pressures and military threats against Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi rejected on Wednesday Iran's intention to purchase the S-300 missile system from Venezuela.

"Tehran has no such plans on its agenda for the time being,'" Vahidi told IRNA on the sidelines of a local meeting.

Iran inked a deal with Russia to purchase the S-300 weaponry systems in 2007, however, Russia scrapped plans to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran as it falls under the UN sanctions, Russian Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov said in September.

The S-300 is an advanced mobile missile system which can shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles from up to 150 km away.

On Tuesday, Iranian Minister of Industries and Mines Ali Akbar Mehrabian said that the current trade volume between Iran and Venezuela is about 3.5 billion U.S. dollars, however, both sides are determined to promote it to even higher levels.

Grounds for expansion of economic cooperation in oil, gas, petrochemical, agriculture, transportation, banking and housing are well-prepared between the two countries, IRNA quoted Mehrabian as saying.

Mehrabian made the remarks on the sidelines of Iran-Venezuela Joint Economic Commission which kicked off in Tehran on Tuesday.

He added that Iran and Venezuela so far have signed dozens of MoUs on economic and political cooperation, according to the report.

Iran has launched some 80 Iranian-led industrial and development projects in Venezuela, indicating the booming economic cooperation between the two countries, the minister said.