Lavrov, Zarif To Meet In Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, are scheduled to meet in Moscow on August 17.

In making the announcement on August 15, Russia's Foreign Ministry said talks would focus on Iran's nuclear program and peace efforts in Syria.

Relations between Russia and Iran have warmed over recent years, with both countries sharing hostility to U.S. foreign policy and backing for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Analysts say Moscow sees the recent nuclear deal, which offers Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbing its nuclear program, as opening the way to selling Tehran missile-defense systems and winning lucrative new nuclear energy contracts.

On August 14, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow is ready to send S-300 long-range, surface-to-air missile systems to Iran and is working to have the sanctions against Tehran removed as soon as possible.

Based on reporting by Interfax and Reuters