Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.
The pair spoke on Friday at an international forum in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat. It was their first in-person meeting since Pezeshkian took office.
Putin said Russia and Iran have worked together in the international arena and that their assessments of current events are often very similar.
Pezeshkian said they should continue to strengthen ties and support each other. He also noted that their positions in the world are very close.
The two leaders confirmed that they will hold talks again at a summit of the BRICS emerging economies starting on October 22 in the central Russian city of Kazan.
The United States and the European Union are concerned about Moscow and Tehran’s growing relationship.
Western nations are at odds with Russia for invading Ukraine, and Iran over the situation in the Middle East.
Iran is also believed to be supplying drones and missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.