President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and Russia have strategic relations and must continue their cooperation vis-a-vis Syria, until the full restoration of peace and security to that country.

Speaking at a meeting with chairman of Russia's State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, in Tehran on Monday, president Rouhani said:  "Close relations and cooperation between Iran and Russia on Syria and peace and security in the region has been very effective and we should continue cooperating  until security is fully  established in Syria and the entire region".

ٍThe Iranian president also pointed to Tehran and Moscow's  common stance on a range of  international issues, and warned that some Western countries were attempting  to create problems for Russia, as a major international power in the region and the wider world.

Rouhani said Iran also faced similar issues in the region, and this was  precisely why Tehran and Moscow needed to develop "a closer cooperation and partnership"  to tackle common problems.

Elsewhere in his remarks, president Rouhani said:  "The Islamic Republic believes bilateral, regional and international cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is to the  benefit of  both nations, and also  benefits the wider international community, and that's why the Iranian government is determined to expand relations with Russia."