Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Kamal Kharazi is likely to visit Dhaka this month to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues with the Bangladeshi leaders.

Kharazi's visit is seen important by diplomatic circles in the wake of new developments in the Middle East, new interim government in Afghanistan and persisting tensions between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan.

Although a firm date has not yet been worked out, diplomatic sources told UNB that the Iranian Foreign Minister might come to Dhaka around February 15.

He will hold talks with his

Bangladeshi counterpart Morshed Khan on bilateral and international issues. He will also call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

"The planned visit is aimed at further improving Dhaka-Tehran bilateral relations, particularly after the take over of new government of Khaleda Zia," a senior Foreign Ministry official said.

An Iranian diplomat said it s a routine visit to a Muslim country to strengthen bilateral ties.

Dr Kamal Kharazi earlier came here in connection with the second D-8 summit held in Dhaka in 2000.

In October 1995, then Iranian President Rafsanjani paid a state visit to Bangladesh. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina also visited

Iran to attend the OIC summit.

Both Bangladesh and Iran, being the members of OIC, enjoy excellent bilateral relations and possess similar views on different international issues.

Several thousand Bangladeshi nationals are staying in Iran. Bangladesh authorities want legalisation of Bangladeshi labourers mostly working in southern Iran, including Bandar Abbas.

Two-way trade that involves about 40 million US dollar is in favour of Bangladesh. Earlier, Iran had expressed its desire for cooperation in energy sector and setting up oil refinery in Chittagong, but no progress was made over the years.