There are few barriers in the way of expanded ties in the energy sectors of Iran and Russia, officials said during bilateral meetings in Tehran.

Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian hosted Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak for a two-day summit concluding Tuesday in Tehran.

Both sides already cooperate in a variety of fields, with Russia supplying fuel for Iran's nuclear reactor at Bushehr. The Iranian minister said Russia agreed to help build four new conventional power plants in Iran.

The new facilities could add as much as 3,500 megawatts of electricity to the Iranian grid.

Russian officials during the summit said energy is an "instrumental" part of the bilateral relationship with Iran.

Western governments have expressed concern over the possibility that Iran was working on an oil-for-goods swap deal with Russia. Iran is the target of Western sanctions imposed in response to a controversial nuclear program, while Russia's energy sector was sanctioned in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Novak said from Tehran sanctions have no impact on bilateral affairs.

"Russia cooperates with Iran in the energy sector, peaceful nuclear energy and oil and gas issues and anti-Russia sanctions do not block cooperation," he said.