TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said that Iran can be a reliable ally of Russia, the English-language satellite Press TV reported on Sunday.

Salehi on Saturday called for stronger ties between Tehran and Moscow, urging Iranian and Russian authorities to work together on common interests when he met outgoing Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexander Sadovnikov.

Iran and Russia have a resolve to utilize opportunities with the purpose of expanding bilateral relations, Salehi was quoted as saying, adding that Tehran can be a reliable ally of Moscow. ?

For his part, Sadovnikov urged more consultations between the two sides to prepare the ground for further bilateral cooperation.

The managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company, Ahmad Qalebani, said Saturday Russian companies can participate in the development of Iran's oilfields such as Changooleh in Iran's southern oil rich region.