Iran held talks with Russia over $10 billion worth of electricity deals on Sunday, in the latest attempt by Moscow to leverage a privileged relationship with Tehran. Russia is already in talks with Iran to swap food and other goods for Iranian oil. The move is seen by some as a Russian attempt to take positions in Iran’s vast market when it opens up and assert its international clout amid increased tensions with the West. In a statement posted on its website, Iran’s energy ministry said Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian met his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak in Tehran on Sunday to discuss $10 billion worth of power deals. They included the construction of hydroelectric power plants and, according to the Mehr news agency, the possibility of Russia exporting 500 megawatts of electricity to Iran. Iran’s political allies Russia and China have renewed efforts to develop economic ties with Tehran […]