Iran fired two more long-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday as it continued military tests in defiance of US sanctions and fresh warnings from Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Tehran for talks sure to sharpen attention on his alliance with Iran in Syria after the Islamic State group's deadly attacks in Paris.
Iran has appointed its first woman ambassador since the 1979 Islamic revolution, naming foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham to head its embassy in Malaysia.
Russia plans to open a $5 billion credit line for Iran to help finance infrastructure projects in the country, officials from both countries said during a visit by Moscow's energy minister.
President Barack Obama ordered the US government to take steps towards lifting sanctions on Iran, in accordance with the historic nuclear deal struck between six world powers and Tehran.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's bullish entry into the Syrian conflict has worked wonders for his popularity in neighbouring Iraq, where some await "Hajji Putin" like a saviour.
Israel's prime minister savaged the nuclear deal with Iran, falling silent for nearly a minute at the United Nations in protest and offering to resume direct peace talks with the Palestinians.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has tried to reassure a skeptical American public that when crowds in Tehran chant "Death to America!" they don't mean it personally.
They are rivals on the campaign trail, but Republican presidential challengers Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz joined forces at a rally denouncing the Iran nuclear deal being debated by the US Congress.