Iranian, Chinese presidents agree to expand ties

DUBAI: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping said on Saturday their countries had agreed to expand economic and political ties, calling it a "new season" in bilateral relations.

"We are happy that President Xi visited Iran after the lifting of sanctions ... Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years," Rouhani said at the news conference with Xi broadcast live on the state television.



China was one of six world powers to negotiate a landmark deal with Iran last July under which Tehran has curbed its disputed nuclear programme and won a removal of isolating international sanctions in return.

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