TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iran�s Foreign Ministry voiced readiness to take reciprocal steps to repair diplomatic relations with Canada, whose previous government closed its embassy in Tehran and ordered the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa in 2012.

Iran and Canada are moving ahead with expert negotiations, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said in his weekly press conference on Monday, expressing the hope that settlement of the outstanding issues would help the two countries resume consular services to the citizens.

�Considering the importance that the Canadian government attaches, and should attach, to Iran, and given the notable number of Iranians residing in Canada, Ottawa needs to take positive steps, and we will take positive steps reciprocally,� he added.

Iran says it was not the one that cut ties with Canada, and thus welcomes any move by the new Canadian administration to resume bilateral relations.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper severed diplomatic relations with Iran in September 2012, citing, among other pretexts, what it described as �continued threats from Iran to Israel�.

The two countries now maintain interests sections in the embassies of third countries.

However, Canada�s incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has signaled willingness to reopen the country�s embassy in Iran.

By Tasnim News Agency