US sanctions bolstered Iran-Russia ties

TEHRAN–  The US sanctions on Iran and Russia have bolstered bilateral cooperation between the two countries despite Washington’s intention, a Russian official said Monday.

Parliament’s General Director for International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who heads Iranian-Russian Parliamentary Friendship Group, held talks with his Russian counterpart on Monday evening, according to Mehr News Agency.

During the meeting, Amir-Abdollahian highlighted the effective and significant cooperation between Iran and Russia in regard to the Syrian case, calling for closer cooperation between the two countries on settling regional crises considering their common views and constructive roles.

The Iranian official also deemed his talks and diplomatic agreements on regional issues with his Russian counterpart ‘positive’ and ‘constructive’, calling for more active role from Russia in regional developments.

For his part, the Russian official, who is also a member of the energy committee at the State Duma, welcomed expansion of ties with Iran in various fields of energy, parliamentary cooperation, and creation of a financial mechanism to bolster economic relations.

He also announced the approval of Iran-Russia joint-venture protection law in the Russian State Duma.

M.Wassouf