Russia and Iran to sit down over energy

MOSCOW, July 13 (UPI) -- Officials from Iran and Russia are expected to meet Wednesday to discuss collaboration in the energy sector, officials in Moscow said.

The Russian energy ministry announced plans for talks with delegates from Tehran to map out a plan for energy ties in the wake of sanctions on Iran passed by the United Nations in June.

The U.N. Security Council passed new sanctions June 9. The new sanctions allow for searches of cargo to or from Iran and increases the number of individuals and companies subject to travel bans and an asset freeze.

Moscow voted in favor of the measure. Lawmakers in Russia said after the measure passed that it would have little impact on Moscow's dealings in the Iranian energy or defense sector, state-run news agency RIA Novosti reports.

The Iranian Oil Ministry's Petroenergy Information Network quoted Hussein Ismaili, a top official in the Iranian oil minister, as saying talks Wednesday could define bilateral ties for the next few decades.

"The most important issue in the preparation of the road map is collaboration between Iran and Russia in developing oil fields in both countries, as well as oil and gas fields located in any third country," he said.