 "In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an international forum \"Interrelation of times and civilizations - basis of peace and development\" dedicated to the 300th anniversary of poet Magtymguly Fragi's birthday in Ashgabat on October 11, 2024. Photo- AFP")
Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised their “aligned” perspectives on global issues during a meeting on Friday, with Putin emphasising that relations with Tehran are a “priority” for Moscow.
The leaders met in Turkmenistan, a highly secretive nation, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah in Beirut, a group supported by Iran.
Ties between Russia and Iran — both facing Western sanctions — have deepened significantly since the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022, with Tehran widely seen as providing weapons to Moscow.
“Relations with Iran are a priority for us, they are developing very successfully,” Putin said. “We are actively working together on the international arena, and our views of events in the world are often very close.”
According to a Russian translation, Pezeshkian said relations between the two countries are “sincere.”
“Our positions on the international stage are similar,” he said.
He said the situation in the Middle East is “difficult”, saying “the USA and Europe do not want the situation to calm down.”
In a short video published by a Russian state TV reporter, Pezeshkian accused Israel of bombing civilians and being backed by Western powers, according to a Russian translation.
The leaders are meeting for the first time at a regional summit in the Central Asian country.
The Kremlin earlier said the two will discuss mutual relations as well as the situation in the Middle East.
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More ShortsPezeshkian will also hold talks with Putin during a visit to Russia later this month to attend the new BRICS summit.
He was inaugurated in late July, taking office after his predecessor died in a helicopter crash.