Moscow/Ashgabat: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday in Turkmenistan, where the two leaders praised the strengthening economic ties between their countries and shared similar perspectives on global issues. This growing alliance has raised concerns in Washington.
Putin, who is at odds with the United States and the European Union over Russia’s war in Ukraine—a conflict he frames as part of a broader struggle against what he views as the West’s arrogance—continues to push for stronger relations with countries in the Global East and Global South. He is particularly keen on fostering alliances that can counterbalance Western influence.
Putin extended an invitation to Pezeshkian for an official visit to Russia during the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled to be held in Kazan on October 22-24. Pezeshkian accepted the invitation, according to reports from Russia’s state news agency RIA.
“Economically and culturally, our communications are being strengthened day by day and becoming more robust,” Pezeshkian said, as reported by Iran’s official IRNA news agency. He emphasized that the growing cooperation between Iran and Russia should be accelerated, given the determination of both nations’ leaders.
Last month, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to deepening ties with Russia in response to Western sanctions. Both countries are nearing the signing of a strategic partnership agreement, which Pezeshkian expressed hopes would be finalized at the BRICS summit later this month.
The United States has expressed concern over the deepening relationship between Moscow and Tehran, accusing Iran of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine—allegations that Iran has denied.
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Putin Declares Emergence of a New World Order
According to the TASS news agency, Putin highlighted the expanding cooperation between Russia and Iran across multiple sectors. “We actively work together in the international arena, and our assessments of current events in the world are often very close,” Putin told Pezeshkian during the sidelines of the conference in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital.
Pezeshkian echoed these sentiments, noting that Iran and Russia have complementary capacities that allow them to support each other on the global stage. “Our positions in the world are much closer to each other than to others,” he was quoted as saying.
In a separate statement, Pezeshkian criticized Israel, urging it to “stop killing innocent people,” and accused the U.S. and the European Union of backing Israel’s actions in the Middle East. Russia, which has also condemned Israel for its strikes in civilian areas, shares similar views.
Putin added that economic ties between Moscow and Tehran are on the rise. In remarks released by the Kremlin earlier on Friday, he described the emergence of a new world order. Putin explained that new centers of economic growth, financial power, and political influence are emerging, and Russia is committed to fostering the broadest international dialogue on this multipolar world. He noted that these discussions could take place within various forums, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and BRICS.
