Iran expects further improvement of ties with Russia

Iran expects further development of ties with Russia, spokesman of the
Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast said, ITAR-TASS reports.

The Iranian official said that Secretary of the Russian Security
Council Nikolai Patrushev will visit the country to discuss bilateral
ties, regional and international problems and the nuclear program.
Iran will consider Russia’s proposals on stage-by-stage settlement of
the Iranian nuclear program.

Mehmanparast said that the Iranian nuclear program continues at a
normal pace. Reports about the halting of the nuclear facility Fordu
are untrue, he noted.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Washington that each
positive step from Iran should be encouraged by lifting sanctions.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed willingness to
cooperate with the international community.

Nikolai Patrushev will visit Tehran on August 15. Iranian Foreign
Minister Ali Akbar Salehi will visit Moscow on August 17, some media
sources say.