News - Middle East: Russian presidential aide and State Council Secretary Igor Levitin has held intensive talks with top economic officials in Iran amid efforts by the two countries to deepen their partnership in a bid to offset the impacts of foreign sanctions targeting their economies.

Levitin met with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mohber on Tuesday to reiterate Russia’s commitment to joint manufacturing and transportation projects with Iran
He said after the meeting with Mokhber that the projects, especially those focused on joint production of various machinery, including cars, helicopters and agricultural equipment, could significantly boost economic ties between Iran and Russia.

The senior official said that Moscow seeks a quicker implementation of a banking agreement signed with Tehran last year as he insisted that easier banking transactions could speed up joint projects between Russia and Iran.  
Earlier on Tuesday, Levitin had met Central Bank of Iran’s Governor Mohammad Reza Farzin.

The two officials agreed in their meeting to accelerate the implementation of the agreement signed between central banks of Iran and Russia to facilitate business and trade ties between the two countries.

Levitin also said that he would personally tour two major transportation projects in northern Iran that will be built with financial help from Russia.

His statement about the two projects, namely the Caspian Port and the Rasht-Astara railway, came after he met Iran’s nealy-appointed Minister of Road and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash.