Iran’s Pezeshkian Tells Putin Middle East Can Act Without US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that countries in the Middle East can address their regional problems without depending on the United States.

The two leaders held talks in Moscow on the sidelines of a summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. Their meeting focused on regional developments and expanding cooperation between Iran and Russia.

Pezeshkian calls for regional cooperation

“I believe we are capable of resolving our problems in the region without relying on the United States,” Pezeshkian told Putin.

He said trade between the two countries was increasing, describing it as expanding “day by day”. Pezeshkian also said United States actions in the region were helping create conditions for greater multilateral cooperation.

According to Pezeshkian, those actions made it easier for Iran to strengthen ties with Russia and other countries facing unilateral US sanctions. He said there was a shared willingness to broaden cooperation in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs.

Putin voices concern over regional situation

Putin said he and Pezeshkian had discussed the situation in the region during an earlier private conversation. He described the circumstances as a source of concern but expressed hope that they would improve.

“We’re neighbours, we have many common interests, and we’re working to realise them all,” Putin said. “We hope the situation will develop positively.”

Moscow has been seeking to mediate efforts aimed at ending the Middle East war. The conflict began on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, according to the source material, while negotiations between Washington and Tehran have remained stalled for months.

The United States and Israel have also threatened to resume strikes on Iran. The supplied information does not provide details of any agreements reached during the Pezeshkian-Putin meeting or specify the mediation steps taken by Moscow.