Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties particularly the expansion of mutual cooperation in the area of oil industry.

Novak is expected to meet with Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh and several other officials.

Talking to IRNA before his departure to Iran, he said he will discuss future of global oil market with Iranian officials during his two-day stay in Tehran.

He added that Iran is Russia's important partner in the Middle East, adding that there are good potentials for comprehensive cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

Novak said Russian companies are ready to export machinery, transportation equipment and other goods to Iran.

Referring to Iran's strategic situation as crossroad of the region, he noted that the visiting delegation will hold discussions with Iranian officials to prepare the ground for holding Iran-Russia joint economic commission in the next Iranian calendar month, IRNA report added.

Iran and Russia have good potentials to cooperate in fields of energy, auto industry, advanced technologies and the pharmaceutical industry, he added.

Earlier, Amir Hossein Zamaninia, Iran's deputy oil minister for international affairs and trade, had told reporters that Tehran and Moscow discuss cooperation in energy field as well as such major topics as the situation of global oil prices and cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil producing countries during Novak’s visit.

Zamaninia also said Novak will be accompanied by top executives of 10 major Russian oil companies.