Putin hails ties with Iran in meeting with Raisi

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised his country´s relations with Iran at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi, as the two discussed the Israel-Hamas war.

Since launching its assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has sought to deepen its economic and political ties with Tehran, both of which have been sanctioned by the West. “Our relations are developing very well. Please convey my best wishes to leader (Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei,” Putin told Raisi, referring to Iran´s head of state.

“Thanks to his support, we have gained good momentum over the past year,” Putin said. Western countries have accused Tehran of supporting Russia´s offensive in Ukraine by providing it with large quantities of drones and other weaponry.

The two also discussed the two-month long Israel-Hamas war, which has drastically ratcheted up tensions between Israel and Arab states in the Middle East. “It is very important for us to exchange views on the situation in the region, especially with regard to the situation in Palestine,” Putin said. Putin spoke with Israeli and Arab leaders shortly after the war began and has sought to position himself as a potential peace mediator between the warring sides.