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RFL/RE – A delegation from Russia’s upper house of parliament has been meeting with senior officials in Tehran for talks aimed at expanding ties in the defense and energy sectors following a nuclear deal with world powers.
Federal Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko met separately with Iranian President Hassan Rohani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on November 14, the final day of the Russian delegation’s two-day visit.
Matviyenko said Rohani reassured her about Tehran’s commitment to fully honor its obligations under the nuclear deal.
Viktor Ozerov, head of Federal Council’s Defense and Security Committee, said talks included a potential $10 billion arms deal for delivery to Iran of Russian tanks, artillery systems, planes, and helicopters.
Russian oil and gas company chiefs from Gazprom, Tatneft, LUKoil, and Zarubezhneft are due to visit Iran later this week for talks about possible energy contracts.
The meetings come ahead of the January 20 inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to “tear up” the nuclear deal with Iran.
The accord lifted international sanctions against Iran exchange for guarantees that Tehran is not secretly developing nuclear weapons.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, Interfax IRNA, and ISNA
