Russian, Iranian Presidents Hold Talks Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, as tensions escalate in the Middle East and concerns grow over Tehran’s involvement in Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of an international forum in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, according to Russian state media.

The discussions centered on the rising hostilities between Israel and Iran’s militant allies in the region. Both countries also addressed their close cooperation, including the £1.2 billion deal for Iran to supply drones to Russia, signed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. has accused Iran of providing Russia with short-range ballistic missiles as well.

The meeting comes amid heightened security warnings in the West. Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, recently revealed that UK authorities have disrupted 20 “potentially lethal” plots by Iran since 2022, accusing both Russia and Iran of increasing attempts at assassination and sabotage on British soil.

During their discussions, Putin emphasized the alignment of Russia and Iran on key global issues, and extended an invitation to Pezeshkian to visit Russia, which was accepted. Pezeshkian also condemned Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, describing