Ali Larijani, Iran’s national security chief, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday during an unannounced visit, the Kremlin said.

Why it matters:

The meeting comes amid sharply escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, including intensified rhetoric from Washington and a heightened American military presence in the Persian Gulf.

The big picture:

Iran-US relations have entered a new period of instability after the US president publicly supported the protests in Iran. Following these developments, the US, in support of the armed riots, sent its troops to the region, a deployment that increased tensions in the region. Larijani’s trip to Moscow reflects Iran’s efforts to strengthen key partnerships amid this tense landscape.

What they’re saying:

Russian and Iranian officials said the talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties, especially economic cooperation, and reviewing major regional and international developments.

Russian media called the meeting “notable,” given rising friction with Washington, adding that it reflects ongoing strategic coordination between Tehran and Moscow across political, security, and military domains. 

Go deeper:

In continued efforts to reduce tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey has declared its opposition to any military conflict between Iran and the United States.

Iran Highlights Nuclear Stance, Regional Coop. in Talks with Turkey

Hossein Amiri - Mojtaba Darabi