Tehran Gears Up for Upcoming Putin Visit Amid Complex Historical Ties

Iran is making arrangements for a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report by Fatemeh Mohajerani, a spokesperson for the Iranian government, as cited by Russia’s state news agency RIA on Monday.

«Discussions about Putin’s trip to Tehran are ongoing and preparations are in progress,» Mohajerani stated. There has been no immediate response from the Kremlin regarding this matter.

Putin previously met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a visit to Iran in 2022, marking the Kremlin leader’s first journey outside the former Soviet Union since initiating a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

While Moscow has procured weapons from Tehran for its operations in Ukraine and signed a 20-year strategic partnership agreement earlier this year, their historical relationship has experienced several ups and downs since the 16th century, when Muscovy first established diplomatic ties with the Persian Empire.

Iranian officials assert that while Moscow often presents a strong front, it remains cautious of becoming embroiled in a major conflict in the Middle East, despite its involvement in Syria, which began in 2015.

Unlike some agreements Russia has reached with other nations, the strategic partnership pact signed with Iran earlier this year does not contain a mutual defense provision.