Hope for Enhanced Coop. With Russia

Iran hopes to develop close ties in all areas of cooperation with Russia, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said on Tuesday. “The visit by Iranian [President Hassan] Rouhani that took place on March 28 was another step toward developing extensive cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. We hope that we will witness even broader bilateral ties across all areas in the future,” Sanaei said at an embassy event marking Iran’s National Army Day on Tuesday, Sputnik reported. The envoy said Russian-Iranian efforts aimed at tackling terrorism have played a significant part in enhancing bilateral cooperation. “One of the main objectives of the Iranian armed forces is to defend against terrorist groups that are posing a threat to regional and global security. Today they are coming into Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions. Tehran and Moscow, realizing the danger and risks posed by expanding terrorist networks in the region and across the world, have stepped up cooperation and played a notable role in upholding peace in the region,” he said. Rouhani visited Russia on March 27-28 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.