Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at his mausoleum just outside Tehran, Iran, June 4, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

TEHRAN - Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday called for the expansion of cooperation between Iran and Uzbekistan as much as possible that meets the two sides' interests.

He made the remarks at a meeting in Tehran with visiting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which was also attended by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, when commenting on the efforts to develop bilateral relations, according to the leader's website.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (right), is welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in an official welcoming ceremony at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Regretting the limited relations between Iran and Uzbekistan for many years, Khamenei hoped that the Uzbek president's visit would mark the beginning of a better future for the two countries' relations

Regretting the limited relations between Iran and Uzbekistan for many years, Khamenei hoped that the Uzbek president's visit would mark the beginning of a better future for the two countries' relations.

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Hailing "unique" historical, cultural and scientific similarities between the two countries, he said the grounds for boosting ties can go far beyond trade and transport into science and technology as well as other sectors through different initiatives.

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The Uzbek president, for his part, hoped that major steps would be taken toward improving the bilateral cooperation in multiple fields to a "favorable" level.

He also praised Iran for its resistance against US sanctions.

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 Heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation, Mirziyoyev arrived in Tehran earlier on Sunday. He met with Raisi earlier in the day and the two countries signed 10 cooperation agreements.

The trip marks the first visit by an Uzbek president to Iran in more than 20 years.