Iran on Monday hailed Russia's decision to lift a ban on supplying Iran with sophisticated S-300 air defence missile systems as a step towards "lasting security" in the region.

"The development of bilateral cooperation (with Russia) and with neighbouring countries in various fields can be very effective for lasting stability and security in the region," Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan said, quoted by state news agency IRNA, referring to "extra-regional threats and the development of terrorist activities".