Following the expiration of a longstanding UN conventional arms embargo, Iran said it was prepared to continue arms trade with other countries, Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

Defence minister Amir Hatami was quoted as saying Iran and “some countries’’ have commenced negotiations over the exchange of weapons, for selling and supplying certain needs.

“All nations have the right to defend their territorial integrity and Iran will do its utmost in this regard,” he said.

Mr. Hatami noted that Iran produces most of its defence demands within the country and its trade will mainly be oriented for weapons sales.

“Iran has made notable advances in the production of ground ordinance, artillery, military ships, submarines, and particularly drone technology,” he said.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, the UN arms embargo against Iran expired on October 18.