MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak is due to visit Iran next week, the ministry said on Friday.

"The visit will take place on October 21," an official spokesperson for the ministry said, giving no further details.

Iran’s media reports earlier said that the two-day visit of Novak will focus on relations between Russia and Iran in the sphere of hydrocarbons. The sides will also discuss the plans to increase bilateral trade from $2 billion to $10 billion per year.

The Russian minister is expected to meet with Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh.