Putin tells Iran he will help end Middle East war

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Moscow was ready to do what it could to help end the Middle East conflict, Russian news agencies reported Thursday.

“We are ready to do everything that is in our power to contribute to the settlement of this situation,” Putin said ahead of a regional summit in Turkmenistan, according to the agencies.

Putin also said Iran had made “real efforts to end the war” since US-Israeli attacks began on February 28.

The two leaders met before a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a grouping of former Soviet nations, in the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza. Putin noted what he called a “positive evolution” in relations between Russia and Iran.

Russia and Iran have strengthened diplomatic and military ties since Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine and Western countries have accused Iran of supplying Russia with Shahed drones and short-range missiles for use in the war. Russia has been accused of supplying targeting data to Iran for strikes on US interests in the Middle East.

The meeting came as talks between Tehran and Washington appeared stalled. Pezeshkian said this week that negotiations with Washington were “meaningless.”