Russia says determined to develop 'beneficial' cooperation with Iran

  The ministry’s statement, released on Monday, came as Iran’s top diplomat, Mohammad Javad Zarif, was conducting the first leg of his regional tour of Caucasus, which has already taken him to the Republic of Azerbaijan with Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Turkey also on his itinerary.“The gradual development of mutually beneficial cooperation as well as further consolidation of significant potentials of Russia and Iran will not only have a positive impact on both countries’ conditions, but also improve the situation in the South Caucasus and the Middle East while ensuring peace and stability in those regions," said Russian ministry’s statement.It emphasized that Russia is resolute to expand beneficial relations with Iran and will continue bilateral cooperation in favor of regional stability and international security, expressing hope that positive trends would be bolstered in Tehran-Moscow ties in all fields. According to the statement, the situation in the disputed Karabakh region, the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the latest developments in Syria, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf region will be the main topics of discussion between the Iranian and Russian foreign ministers. It noted that the two countries' economic and commercial cooperation commission, whose next session is scheduled to be held later this year, has played a considerable role in the expansion of bilateral exchanges.