Putin Iranian meeting/ Middle East tensions/ Russia-Iran relations/ Israel Lebanon conflict/ Turkmenistan forum/ Newslooks/ ASHGABAT/ Turkmenistan/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met in Turkmenistan to discuss the escalating Middle East conflict and deepen Russia-Iran relations. The leaders’ discussions, held on the sidelines of an international forum, reflect both nations’ interest in countering Western influence amid regional upheaval.
Putin-Iran Meeting Quick Looks
- Strategic Talks: Putin and Pezeshkian met to discuss Middle Eastern conflicts and Ukraine.
- Military Support: Iran continues to supply drones and short-range missiles to Russia.
- U.K. Security Concerns: Britain reported increased Russian and Iranian covert operations on U.K. soil.
- Regional Criticism: Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon.
- Forum Highlights: Leaders from Central Asia and Pakistan gathered in Ashgabat for regional discussions.
Putin and Iranian President Meet Amid Middle East Tensions
Deep Look
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine. Held during an international forum in the Turkmen capital, the meeting underscored the strengthening of ties between Moscow and Tehran, two nations facing substantial opposition from Western powers.
The focus of the conversation included Iran’s support for Moscow in Ukraine, where Tehran has supplied drones and, reportedly, short-range ballistic missiles to bolster Russia’s military efforts since its 2022 invasion. The $1.7 billion deal on drone exports from Iran to Russia has drawn criticism and sanctions from the West, with the United States voicing concerns over Iran’s involvement in aiding Russian offensives.
Putin emphasized the alignment between Moscow and Tehran, describing their positions on global affairs as “very close,” according to Russian news agency Tass. The two leaders discussed Middle Eastern events, particularly as Israel’s military launched a new wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah forces. During the meeting, Pezeshkian condemned Israel’s “savage attacks” in Lebanon, which he argued were “beyond description.” Both leaders suggested that closer collaboration between Russia and Iran could counterbalance Western influence in the region.
Concerns have also risen outside the Middle East, particularly in the United Kingdom, where British MI5 intelligence chief Ken McCallum recently accused Russia and Iran of increasingly aggressive operations on U.K. soil. McCallum reported that his agency and police have intercepted 20 “potentially lethal” plots backed by Iran since 2022, including assassination and sabotage plans. He warned that as tensions grow in the Middle East, Iranian-backed threats could extend further into British territory.
Putin, addressing the forum, outlined his vision for a “new world order” that unites Moscow’s allies in opposition to Western policies. The event drew regional leaders, including Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and presidents from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with discussions revolving around shared goals for economic stability and security in Central Asia.
Putin’s diplomatic agenda at the forum also includes scheduled talks with Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdymukhamedov. Berdymukhamedov assumed office in 2022, succeeding his father, Gurbanguly, who had ruled the country since 2006. Under their leadership, Turkmenistan has remained relatively isolated and autocratic, but the country’s vast gas reserves have made it a strategic point of interest in regional diplomacy.
