Raisi, Putin Praise Iran-Russia Ties In Meeting in Moscow

December 8, 2023

2 min read

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) expressed satisfaction that relations between Moscow and Tehran “are developing very well,” as he welcomed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the start of their talks in the Kremlin

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow on December 7, as the two countries strengthen economic and military ties in the face of Western sanctions.

He also told Raisi to “convey his best wishes” to the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei.

"Thanks to his support, we have gained good momentum over the past year," the Russian leader said.

The Iranian president said there was room to further develop the relations between the two countries, stating, “Iran and Russia have good cooperation in the field of energy, agriculture and knowledge-based activities, but better steps can be taken for the interests of both countries and their governments,” according to Iran’s state-run Press TV.

Putin and Raisi also discussed the war between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which has drastically ratcheted up tensions in the region.

"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.

Raisi called for an immediate stop to Israel’s “genocide and crimes against humanity” in the Gaza Strip.

The Islamic Republic, which has been a staunch supporter of Hamas, has warned repeatedly that the war, which erupted on October 7 with an attack of the Palestinian group in southern Israel, could spread to other parts of the region.

Tehran and Moscow have deepened their bilateral ties, particularly in the military sphere, since the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The European Union, the United States, the UK and other countries have also issued multiple rounds of sanctions against the Islamic Republic in the past year over its crackdown on dissent and its supply of hundreds of drones to Russia for its war effort in Ukraine.

Putin’s meeting with Raisi followed their talks in Tehran in July 2022, where the Russian president received strong support for his actions in Ukraine.

Raisi’s latest visit to Moscow came a day after Putin traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in efforts to raise Moscow’s profile as a power broker in the region.