Iran’s Pezeshkian tells Putin Middle East can solve problems without US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that countries in the Middle East can resolve regional problems without relying on the United States, as Tehran and Moscow pledged to deepen cooperation amid heightened regional tensions.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, October 27, on the sidelines of the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

“I believe we are capable of resolving our problems in the region without relying on the United States,” Pezeshkian told Putin, arguing that regional countries have the capacity to address their own challenges through cooperation.

The Iranian president said growing trade between Tehran and Moscow reflected strengthening ties between the two countries. He added that US actions were encouraging closer cooperation among Russia, Iran and other countries facing unilateral American sanctions.

Pezeshkian also called for expanded bilateral cooperation across scientific, economic, industrial, cultural, security and military fields, thanking Moscow for its political, economic and security support for Iran.

Putin, meanwhile, said trade between Russia and Iran had continued to grow and confirmed that construction work at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant was progressing.

The Russian president also acknowledged the seriousness of the regional situation, saying he and Pezeshkian had discussed developments during a private conversation and expressing hope that events would move in a positive direction.

The meeting comes as Moscow seeks to support diplomatic efforts to prevent a renewed escalation in the Middle East. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have remained stalled following the outbreak of war on February 28, when US-Israeli strikes targeted Iran.

Both Washington and Israel have threatened to resume strikes against Iran, adding to uncertainty over the prospects for a diplomatic settlement.

The talks in Moscow underscore the growing importance Tehran places on its partnership with Russia as it seeks to strengthen economic and political ties with countries outside the Western sphere.