Iran's Raisi Accuses West of Backing Gaza 'Genocide' in Talks with Putin

Growing military cooperation between Russia and Iran raises concerns amid Putin's Middle East diplomacy efforts.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, accused the West of supporting 'genocide' by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza.
Putin, who recently visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, discussed the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and efforts by Russia and OPEC to boost oil prices.
Neither leader referred to their countries' growing military cooperation, a source of concern to the U.S., which says Iran is supplying Russia with weapons to use against Ukraine.
Iran backs Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza, in its war with Israel. Russia has relations with all key players in the region, including Hamas and Israel.
Iranian authorities have said military cooperation with Russia is expanding day by day, with arrangements finalized last month for Russia to provide Iran with Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 pilot training aircraft.