The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said Tuesday Commerce and Industry Minister Yoon Jin-sik, who is currently on a trip to several Middle Eastern nations, met Iranian President Mohammad Khatami Tuesday to request firm support for South Korean companies.

Yoon asked the president to support Korean firms' participation in Iranian industrial projects after delivering a letter from President Roh Moo-hyun.

The ministry said in response, Khatami suggested that the two nations expand their cooperation not only in the oil industry but in all sectors, including information technology.