by The Commentator on 25 June 2013 11:28

Iran's president-elect, Hassan Rouhani, has stated that his administration will seek to improve relations with Putin's Russia, claiming that the relationship will take "high importance" during his term in office.

In response to a congratulatory message by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rouhani said on June 24 that his administration would bring "peace and friendship for all world nations."

Rouhani expressed hope that Iran and Russia would bolster historical ties and cooperate in all fields.

"Putin expressed confidence that Hassan Rouhani's work on this high post will promote the flourishing of (Russia's) friend Iran and further strengthen Russian-Iranian relations," a Kremlin message to Iran's president-elect said.

Rouhani's response is the first to a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which along with Germany, are in talks with Iran on the country's disputed nuclear program.

Iran's first nuclear power plant went online with help of Russia in 2011. The two countries have also co-operated militarily in the past.

Both Russia and Iran continue to back Syrian President Bashar Assad in the conflict that rages throughout his country.

Rouhani emerged victorious in Iran's 11th presidential election of June 14, which was marked by a high voter turnout, winning 50.7 percent of a total of 36,704,156 ballots counted. The voter turnout in the election was 72.7 percent, according to Iran's Interior Ministry.