Putin and Pezeshkian meet in Turkmenistan to discuss Middle East crisis

On Thursday, October 9, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in the resort of Avaza, Turkmenistan. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a regional summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

During the discussions, Putin expressed Russia's readiness to assist in resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which intensified following bombings in Iran that began in February. Putin praised Tehran's "sincere efforts" toward de-escalation. In response, President Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's openness to dialogue while criticizing the United States, alleging that negotiations often lead to renewed attacks against his country. Beyond regional security, the leaders discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy, agriculture, transportation, and trade, noting that their relations have grown significantly since 2022.

The context of the meeting includes ongoing international scrutiny regarding the military partnership between Moscow and Tehran. While Western nations and Kyiv have accused Iran of supplying drones and missiles to Russia, Moscow is reportedly providing unspecified support in return, further solidifying their strategic alliance amid global tensions.