Iran says it will see a sharp rise in oil and gas cooperation with Russia as the two countries sign a participation agreement at the meeting of the Russian-Iranian Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation. The free-trade agreement enters into force in May. “Relations between the two countries of Iran and Russia have been of great importance on the international stage,” stresses Mohsen Paknejad, Minister of Petroleum of Iran. Subject to heavy international sanctions that affect their economies, Russia and Iran have been forging closer ties in recent years, particularly since Russia's assault on Ukraine in February 2022. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES