2 October

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has attended a summit of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, or EAEU.

The meeting was held in the Armenian capital of Yerevan on Tuesday. The EAEU consists of five former Soviet republics, including Russia and Kazakhstan. Rouhani took part as a guest.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a plan to lower tariffs between the EAEU and Iran to increase mutual trade and investment.

Rouhani said Iran is ready to offer its domestic business environment to expand trade with the EAEU.

The United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal last year and resumed economic sanctions on the country.

In recent years, the EAEU members have been increasing their exports of oil and natural gas. The trade has been boosted by China's Belt and Road initiative designed to create a vast economic zone.

nhk