Leaders from Russia, Iran, Turkey other regional states gathered on Friday in Turkmenistan for a rare international summit marking the country’s 30 years of official neutrality, as diplomatic engagement across the region intensifies amid wider global strains.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on the sidelines of the International Forum for Peace and Trust in the capital Ashgabat, an unusual gathering in one of the world’s most closed states.
Putin said Moscow and Tehran remain in close contact on major international issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
“We are in close contact on all key international issues, including all matters related to the Iranian nuclear program. You know our position: we support Iran at the UN,” Putin said, adding that the foreign ministers of the two countries are “in constant contact.”
He said Russia and Iran are negotiating cooperation in the gas and electricity sectors and will work together on energy transmission projects.
“We are holding talks in the gas and power sectors, and cooperation in energy transfer will take shape,” he said.
He added that relations between the two countries are expanding steadily. “Our relations are developing day by day,” Putin said, pointing to plans to advance the North–South transport corridor linking Russia to South Asia via Iran.
Putin also cited plans to expand cooperation at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, which was built by Russia.
Broader strategic ties
The meeting comes as Tehran and Moscow deepen strategic cooperation under Western sanctions. Earlier this month, the two countries signed a new agreement covering artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, expanding collaboration in digital infrastructure, data transit and e-government.
Iran and Russia have also worked closely on space projects. Tehran has said three Iranian satellites will be launched aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket later this month, following earlier launches carried out with Russian support.
