Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held a phone conversation on Monday to discuss new developments in bilateral relations and infrastructure projects. 

"Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Both sides gave a positive assessment of the level and dynamics of the development of Russian-Iranian relations. Issues of bilateral cooperation in various fields, including the implementation of joint infrastructure projects, were discussed," as per a statement from the Kremlin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that "both sides agreed that relations between Iran and Russia are developing in a positive way. The issues of bilateral cooperation in different fields were also discussed," noting that both sides agreed to maintain further contact.

The last time the two leaders held a phone conversation was on January 19 during which both discussed the situation in Syria as well as strengthening cooperation in the fields of transportation and energy. 

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On February 14, Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said that about "60% of trade between Russia and Iran is carried out in the national currencies of the two countries: the ruble and the rial. But we have to decrease the 40%-share of the dollar."

Reduced usage of the US dollar in bilateral trade will, according to the ambassador, reduce the impact of the dollar on the Russian-Iranian economic partnership.

Jalali noted that the ruble might become the major currency used for commerce between Eurasian Economic Union countries and one of the key currencies used among members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, alongside China's yuan.

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