Tasnim � Iran�s President Hassan Rouhani is expected to visit Russia in January 2017, a source familiar with the preparations for the visit told Russia�s TASS news agency.

The source said that Iranian foreign minister will arrive in Moscow in December for preparations for Rouhani�s visit to Russia.

Russia, a Syria ally, has been providing military assistance to Damascus in its battle against foreign-backed terrorism. Iran, also an ally of Damascus, has been lending advisory support to the Syrian counterterrorism push.

Russia and Iran hold regular and close consultation concerning the situation in Syria toward coordinating their efforts in helping purge the Arab country of terrorism.