Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, said he had a "very constructive" meeting with the Russian president on Thursday, adding that Moscow is prepared to invest $50 billion in Iran's energy sector.
A delegation led by Velayati met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and delivered messages from Ayatollah Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani.
In an interview with state TV after the talks, the Leader's advisor said, "The Russian president's remarks indicate that [the value of] oil ties between the two countries can reach up to $50 billion," IRNA reported.
"Russia is ready to invest in Iran's oil sector, and, if it happens, it will compensate the departure of some oil firms from the country," he said, in reference to companies that have announced plans to pull out of Iran for fear of becoming entangled in US sanctions.
Russian Oil Firms
A $4 billion agreement between Iran and one of Russia's major oil companies will be implemented soon, the official said, without elaborating.
"Two other major Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Gazprom, have started talks with our Oil Ministry, and contracts with these two firms could be worth $10 billion," Velayati added, according to IRIB News.
Illegal Sanctions
In addition, he quoted Putin as saying that US unilateral sanctions against Tehran are "unacceptable" and "illegal" and that he supports the 2015 nuclear agreement.
The Leader believes Iran-Russia ties are "strategic", Velayati said, adding that the close relationship will be sustained.
Further cooperation in the field of gas, nuclear energy and railroad transport was also discussed during the "friendly" meeting. Russia is interested in working with Iran on regional issues and consultations between Tehran, Moscow and Ankara to help resolve the years-long conflict in Syria will continue.
Bilateral Ties
The Kremlin said Putin and Velayati discussed the situation in Syria and bilateral relations and that Velayati presented to Putin messages from Ayatollah Khamenei and Rouhani, Reuters reported.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in a conference call with reporters that the letters dealt with bilateral relations and the situation in the region, but refused to elaborate, according to AP.
Ready to Move Out
Velayati said on Friday that Tehran coordinates its military presence in Syria with Moscow and Damascus.
He made the remarks in Moscow Friday amid reports that Iran's role in Syria will be a key item at a summit between Putin and Trump on Monday.
Velayati said Iran and Russia's presence in Syria will continue to protect the Arab country against terrorist groups and America's aggression, adding they "will immediately leave if Iraqi and Syrian governments want, not because of Israel and American pressure."
"It can be said that sending the important and strategic message from the Supreme Leader, as well as the message of the president and talks with President Putin, was a turning point in relations between our two countries," he said.
"We hope that cooperation between Iran and Russia will be a model for cooperation among Iran, China, India and some major East Asian countries, helping realize a strategic vision to develop relations with the eastern countries," he concluded.
