The Russian ambassador said stronger relations between Moscow and Tehran would help ease regional tensions. "Expansion of relations between the two countries, in particular parliamentary ties, would in turn strengthen the role the two sides could play in regional and international arenas, eventually paving the way for the reduction of regional tensions," Levan Dzhagaryan was quoted as saying by IRNA on Saturday. The Russian diplomat made the remarks during a meeting with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian parliament speaker's special aide on international affairs. Amir-Abdollahian called for the two sides' parliaments to improve their relations, describing it as a "necessary move". Iran and Russia saw an increase in their relations when Moscow decided to help the Syrian government in its fight against the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group using its air power with Iranian military advisors coordinating the operations on the ground. The two sides could successfully turn the tide in favor of the Syrian government, quelling the foreign-back militancy late last year.
