Robust Relations With Russia Hailed

A senior Iranian diplomat commended Russia's historical relations with Tehran, which have risen to a stronger and more comprehensive level in recent years. 
"As two neighbors and two powers in the region, we have to stand by each other and we do," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi told IRNA. 
He said that in recent years, both countries' leaders have decided to expand their longstanding ties to include bilateral, regional and international cooperation. 
According to Mousavi, the two countries have close cooperation at the international level, such as the case of Syria where they are jointly working to help end tensions in the war-torn country. 
He also hailed Russia for maintaining close ties with Iran despite the sanctions imposed by the United States after its exit from the 2015 nuclear deal last year. 
"Iran will not forget its friends in hard times and I hope these relations will serve the interests of both nations," Mousavi said.