Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia for the transfer of Russian gas to Iran, with the aim of strengthening and developing the countries cooperation in this field.

The MoU was signed during a visit by Gazprom’s head Alexei Miller to Iran at a ceremony attended by Iran’s Acting president Mohammad Mokhber, according to Reuters.

Mokhber emphasized the role of MoU in bolstering both countries’ relations, stating that Tehran-Moscow’s firm determination in line with the improvement of relations has an important message for the world and the path of gas cooperation has begun between the two countries will lead to greater understandings and contracts.

He further underscored the importance of the MoU noting that it is very important for improving the security and economy of the region.

Mokhber emphasized the faster north-south corridor and the Rasht-Bandar Abbas railway line to connect the countries of the region to this corridor.

This month, Russia has for the first time sent two trains laden with coal to India via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which connects Russia to India via Iran. This came as part of Russia’s push to find new transport routes considering Western sanctions, which have forced it to shift trade flows from Europe to Asia and the Middle East.