Putin and Iranian President Pezeshkian Forge Closer Ties Amid Rising Tensions

The leaders met in Turkmenistan to discuss strengthening alliances and shared global perspectives as Middle East conflicts escalate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held their first in-person meeting in Turkmenistan, emphasizing their nations' growing military and economic partnerships.
The meeting occurred as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, following Iran's recent missile attack on Israel and Israel's potential retaliatory strike.
Putin and Pezeshkian discussed a strategic partnership agreement, which they hope to finalize at the upcoming BRICS summit in Russia later this month.
Iran has been supplying Russia with drones and, according to U.S. officials, short-range ballistic missiles for the Ukraine conflict, heightening concerns in the West.
Both leaders criticized Western policies and reiterated their commitment to creating a 'new world order' that challenges Western dominance in global affairs.