Russia's defense minister calls for a security force in the Caspian Sea region, which borders Iran, to prevent the transport of weapons of mass destruction.
      Sergei Ivanov made his comments in a Saturday interview with NTV, Interfax news agency reported.
      "Concerning security matters, it would be appropriate to form security forces in the Caspian Sea in charge of maintaining law and order, and preventing the transportation of weapons of mass destruction and their components," Ivanov said. "Theoretically, such a threat exists."
      Ivanov said the force could also help halt poaching and drug-smuggling. Border guards spend part of every day clearing up poachers' nets, he said.
      Russia opposes Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, the minister said, but he also said that the country is entitled to acquire nuclear technology for power generation.