Leader's Advisor Confers With Russia’s President

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.