Putin Vows Full Russian Support to Help Resolve US-Led Conflict Involving Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met on the sidelines of the Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Turkmenistan, where Russian news agencies reported that Putin promised to "do everything" to help end the United States-led war on Iran.

During their meeting ahead of the summit of former Soviet nations, Putin told Pezeshkian that Russia is ready to assist in resolving the situation. According to Interfax news agency, Putin stated that Iran is making genuine efforts to end the conflict despite it breaking out through no fault of Iran's, while also highlighting a "positive evolution" in Iran-Russia relations.

The discussion followed a phone call on Wednesday where, as Iran's IRNA news agency reported, Putin offered Moscow's readiness to mediate an end to the war in the Middle East. The two leaders had previously met last month on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Both nations, facing heavy Western sanctions, have strengthened their diplomatic and military ties. Last year, Moscow and Tehran formalized this relationship by signing a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" spanning trade, military cooperation, science, culture, and education.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Western countries have accused Iran of supplying Russia with Shahed drones and short-range missiles for the Ukraine war, while Russia has faced accusations of providing data to Iran for attacks on US targets in the Middle East.

This diplomatic encounter coincides with an apparent impasse in Iran-US talks. US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the US will refrain from launching an attack on Iran prior to the November 3 US midterm congressional elections, describing ongoing talks between the two nations regarding an end to the war as "productive." Concurrently, diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving Russia’s offensive in Ukraine remain deadlocked amidst intensifying attacks from both sides.