Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Iran in the near future, according to Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali. Speaking to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on Thursday, Jalali confirmed that the trip is intended to further strengthen strategic ties between Moscow and Tehran.
“We will soon witness the Russian president’s visit to Tehran,” Jalali said. He also told Russian outlet RIA Novosti that bilateral relations had now reached a "strategic level."
In January, Putin and Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian signed a landmark Strategic Partnership Agreement in Moscow, which has since been ratified by both governments. The agreement spans multiple sectors, including defense, security, trade, economic cooperation, and regional coordination.
One of the most significant components of the partnership is the development of the North-South Trade Corridor, which aims to connect Russia with India via Iran. The project is intended to bypass Western-controlled trade chokepoints and mitigate the impact of sanctions.
Since 2022, relations between the two countries have steadily deepened, particularly after Russia became the world’s most heavily sanctioned nation following its invasion of Ukraine. Iran is reported to have supplied Russia with drones early in the conflict, before Russia's domestic defense production ramped up.
Preparations for Putin’s visit have reportedly been ongoing for several months. In May, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that Tehran was preparing to host the Russian leader. In April, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Moscow and delivered a written message from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Putin.
On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed the prospect of Russian involvement in nuclear negotiations with Iran. “He [Putin] may join, if necessary,” Peskov said. “Our dialogue with both Tehran and Washington continues through various channels. Therefore, if necessary, the president and the Russian side will be able to join.”
The comments came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly called Putin to request assistance in ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran.