“Great and influential countries should seek development and expansion of constructive interaction with other countries in line with national interests and mutual respect," Mehdai Kouchakzadeh stated in a meeting with Paul Foley held in Tehran on Monday.

He pointed to the importance of parliament in Iran's political structure, and added that his group is prepared to pave the ground for expansion of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Canberra.

Foley, for his part, said the Australian government and parliament welcome the expansion of friendly relations and exchange of parliamentary delegations with Iran.

Earlier, the new Australian envoy had also held a meeting with Chairman of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi.

“The new Iranian government’s policy is based on stronger foreign relations and constructive interactions with the regional and world countries,” Borujerdi said at the meeting.

“Maximum expansion of foreign relations and constructive interactions with the regional and world countries based on mutual respect and interests is the policy of the new government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.