Russia and Iran are maintaining extremely close coordination in efforts to end the conflict in Iran, as well as expanding their strategic relations in light of the changing global situation. Russian President Vladimir Putin received Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, for a three hour meeting in Moscow on Nov. 5. Rezai was joined by Deputy Secretary Ali Bagheri Kani and Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali. Putin was joined by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU).

According to a lengthy report in Press TV, Rezaei delivered a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Putin, which Khamenei reportedly wanted delivered to Putin as soon as possible. Putin conveyed his “warm and sincere greetings” to the Khamenei in response, Rezaei added.

Following the meeting, Rezaei said the discussions covered regional security arrangements in the aftermath of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Moscow’s support for ending the aggression, and plans to expand energy and transit cooperation, including the construction of gas pipelines from Russia to Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). “Important issues concerning the region were discussed with Mr. Putin, including significant discussions on the postwar period and regional security arrangements,” he said.