Russian President Visits Iran

The Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Iran for only his second foreign trip since he aimed at allowing the resumption of Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports as launched the invasion of Ukraine in February.

Putin would also hold his first face-to-face meeting since the invasion with a NATO leader, Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan, to discuss a deal well as peace in Syria.

Meanwhile, the Russian energy giant Gazprom signed a new development deal worth $40m (£33m) with Iran’s state oil company.

Putin’s trip, which comes just days after US President Joe Biden visited Israel and Saudi Arabia, sends a strong message to the West about Moscow’s plans to forge closer strategic ties with Iran, China, and India in the face of the Western sanctions.

Strengthening ties
Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov said “The contact with Khamenei is very important,

“A trusting dialogue has developed between them on the most important issues on the bilateral and international agenda.

“On most issues, our positions are close or identical,” he said.

Following his meeting with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, Putin said relations between the two countries were “developing at a good pace.”

The Russian leader said the two countries are strengthening ties on areas such as international security, trade, and “the settlement of the Syria crisis.”

BBC/OO/CO