Rouhani says Iran ready to expand gas, power trade with Iraq.

DUBAI -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Saturday for Iran and neighbouring Iraq to expand their gas and electricity dealings and boost bilateral trade to $20 billion, state TV reported, despite difficulties caused by US sanctions against Tehran.

'The plans to export electricity and gas and hopefully oil continue and we are ready to expand these contacts not only for the two countries but also for other countries in the region,' Rouhani said after a meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, in remarks carried by state television. In March, the United States granted Iraq a 90-day waiver exempting it from sanctions to buy energy from Iran, the latest extension allowing Baghdad to keep purchasing electricity from its neighbour.

'We hope that our plans to expand trade volume to $20 billion will be realised within the next few months or years,' Rouhani said. Iranian media reports have put the current level of trade at about $12 billion. Rouhani expressed hope that work on building a railway linking the two countries, would begin within the next few months.

Rouhani says Iran ready to improve ties with Gulf states

The railway project was...