Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Iran’s “courage and resilience” amid its ongoing war with the United States and said Moscow was providing Tehran with assistance and necessary supplies during what he called a “difficult period.”
“Russia stands in solidarity with the Iranian people and admires your courage and resilience in the struggle for your independence,” Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during talks Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan.
Putin also asked Pezeshkian to convey his greetings and “words of brotherly support” to Iran’s supreme leader.
“In this difficult period, we are trying to provide you with the necessary assistance,” Putin said. “We have discussed this with you, and we are supplying you with the necessary goods.”
Despite the military and political situation, Putin said Russia and Iran were maintaining the pace of their economic relationship and continuing cooperation under their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Moscow and Tehran have dramatically deepened military and economic ties since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Pezeshkian thanks Putin
Pezeshkian thanked Putin for Moscow’s backing during the war with the US and throughout years of Western sanctions.
“We appreciate and thank you for your positions at every stage, both during the period when the fighting and acts of aggression were taking place and under normal circumstances, when the United States was imposing sanctions on us, both at the United Nations and in international forums,” Pezeshkian said.
“This shows that our relationship is a strategic relationship; it is not an ordinary relationship.”
The meeting was the first between Putin and Pezeshkian since the war erupted on Feb. 28 following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military officials.
Iran retaliated with attacks across the region as the conflict widened.
Tehran later blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route, while Washington imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
An April 8 ceasefire halted the most intense phase of fighting, but sporadic attacks, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have continued, leaving prospects for a lasting settlement uncertain.
Putin had already pledged support for Tehran during an April meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St. Petersburg, saying Moscow would do “everything” it could to help secure peace in the Middle East.