Iran's President Pezeshkian Meets Putin in Turkmenistan

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan, according to international news agencies. The meeting took place on the sidelines of an international summit held in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the Iranian leader and the Russian president since Pezeshkian took office in July 2024, after winning Iran's presidential election.

The two leaders were reported to have discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. The meeting came as the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, particularly the conflict in the Gaza Strip and tensions between Iran and Israel.

Russia and Iran maintain close cooperation across a range of areas, including energy, defense and trade, despite Western sanctions targeting both countries.