MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev plans an official visit to Tehran soon, his spokeswoman said Saturday.
“The minister’s visit is being prepared, no information on dates so far,” Yelena Lashkina said.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported earlier in the day, citing Russian ambassador to Tehran Levan Dzhagaryan, that Ulyukayev will visit the Islamic Republic on March 21 with a proposal to swap Iranian oil for construction of railways.
Iran has endured a decade-long barrage of mounting international and bilateral sanctions over accusations from the United Nations and Western countries concerning its nuclear program.
Reuters reported in mid-January that Russia and Iran are discussing a deal to swap about 500,000 barrels of Iranian oil for Russian goods and equipment, and plan to sign it soon.
