WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended on Sunday the Bush administration's decision to sell military equipment and technology to Saudi Arabiato guard against alleged threat from Iran.

    In an interview with Fox television, Rice rejected the saying that Saudi Arabia has not done enough to support the U.S.-backed government in Iraq, insisting that "I think we have good cooperation."

    "We want all states to do more. But it makes no sense to leave our longtime strategic ally undefended in a region in which Iranian and other challenges are brewing," she added.

    Rice made the remarks after she returned home Friday from a four-day Middle East trip that included Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

    The United States announced recently to sell to Saudi Arabia sophisticated weaponries with an estimated value of 20 billion U.S. dollars.

    The United States has been at odds with Iran over its controversial nuclear program, and it also accused Tehran of supporting Iraqi insurgents. Iran has denied both the allegations.