"The cooperation between Iran and Russia as two independent countries is moving on its normal path and economic officials, traders and activists in the two countries' related sectors are attentive and show care for the utilization of the existing capacities," Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said on Saturday after the US voiced concern over new oil contracts between Tehran and Moscow.
"Iran and Russia enjoy abundant potentials for the development of economic and trade relations and cooperation, and other countries' sensitivity to the different aspects of Iran-Russia cooperation is illogical," she said.
Afkham underlined that Iran and Russia use such potentials based on the international laws and their commitment to the consolidation of their all-out ties.
Media reports said earlier that Iran and Russia were negotiating an oil-for-goods swap worth $1.5 billion a month that would enable Iran to lift oil exports substantially.
Russian and Iranian sources close to the barter negotiations said final details were in discussion for a deal under which Russia would buy up to 500,000 barrels a day of Iranian oil in exchange for Russian equipment and goods.
"Good progress is being made at the moment with strong chances of success," said a Russian source in January. "We are discussing the details, and the date of signing a deal depends on those details."
