The United Nations Drugs Control programme UNDP is to set up an office in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to help fight drug trafficking.

The U.N. information centre in Tehran said in a statement that the decision was taken at a meeting earlier this week between the programme's director, Pino Arlacchi and the head of Iran's drugs control department, Mohammed Fallah.

The office, due to open in a few weeks, will develop a framework for cooperation with the Iranian authorities.

Tehran has been praised by the UN for its fight against drugs.