TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Mehdi Sanai, said on Thursday that there will be good news on relations between Tehran and Moscow.

“Relations between Iran and Russia are close at various levels and the two countries’ leaders have strong will to expand ties. We expect good news on the two countries’ relations in coming weeks and months,” he said during his speech at “Iran-Russia/Dialogue of Cultures” conference.

He said that the two countries should expand cooperation in areas of science and technology.

Alexander Zapisotsky, the president of Saint Petersburg University, also praised Iran’s resistance against economic sanctions prior to the implementation of the nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which removes sanctions against Iran.

Iran developed its technologies in spite of the sanctions, he said.

Iran-Russia ties have seen both divergence and convergence. While the two are cooperating in the war-ridden Syria, explicit and implicit voices in Iran have reacted strongly to Russia’s loose commitment to the S-300 deal.

According to a contract signed between the two sides in 2007, Russia had to deliver a surface-to-air missile system. However, the country has failed to fulfill its commitment, citing UN limitations.

NA/