Iran chairs the Organization of Islam Conference.

Ivanov timed his visit to the Iranian capital one day before a meeting of bureaucrats to prepare for the conference. He explained his country's position on the Caucasus region and tried to justify the military attacks of the past two months on the Muslim state of Chechnya.

Russia argues that the war in Chechnya is actually a series of military operations aimed at removing "terrorist groups."

Russia does not want to hear any condemnation of its activities, or any sympathy for the Chechens. According to Iranian foreign minister officials, Ivanov explicitly asked that the concluding statement of the ministers' meeting not contain any condemnation of the Russian war on Chechnya.

Jordan has apparently accepted Russia's request. It banned any political activity in support of the Chechens, despite its sizeable Chechen community.