The presidential talks come before the expected signing of a strategic partnership agreement by the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Iran’s new president amid growing concerns about escalating attacks between Israel, Iran, and networks of allied militant groups.
Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discussed the situation in the Middle East on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Turkmenistan on Friday, Russian state media said.
The two met before the two countries were scheduled to sign a strategic partnership agreement.
Pezeshkian said on Friday that he expected the agreement to be finalized at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit to be held in Russia from October 22 to 24, which President Putin has invited. said.
During the meeting, Putin told Pezeshkian that Moscow and Tehran’s positions on international issues are often “very close,” according to Russian state news agency TASS.
“Relations with Iran are a top priority for us. They are developing very well,” Putin said.
Iranian news agency IRNA reported that Pezeshkian echoed similar sentiments, saying: “Economically and culturally, our communications are becoming stronger and stronger day by day.”
Pezeshkian also spoke of Israel’s “brutal attacks" in Lebanon, adding that Israel “must stop killing innocent people” in the region and accused the United States and Europe of supporting its actions. did.
The Israeli military has sent ground troops to southern Lebanon and continues to bombard the country during the fight against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which is allied with Tehran.
Russia has previously accused Israel of targeting civilian areas during the wars in Lebanon and Gaza.
At a forum on October 11, 2024, President Putin, along with President Pezeshkian, praised the strengthening of ties between Russia and Iran, while stating that he wanted a “new world order” to counter the Western powers (Alexander Pezeshkian). Shcherbak/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Relations between Russia and Iran have significantly strengthened since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The United States accuses Iran of supplying Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine. Tehran denied the allegations.
As the conference opened on Friday, Putin said he wanted to build a “new world order” for Russia’s allies to counter the West.
He said Russia supports “the widest possible international discussion” on the emerging multipolar world and is ready to discuss it in various forums, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. Ta.
Friday’s meeting was also attended by other regional leaders, including Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and the leaders of Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).
