Summary
- Russian President Vladimir Putin phoned Iran’s new interim president, expressing condolences and a desire to strengthen bilateral relations
- Moscow aims to preserve and build on the deepening relationship with Tehran despite President Ebrahim Raisi’s sudden death
- Russia has been strengthening political, trade, and military ties with Iran, a move viewed with concern by the United States and Israel
- Putin highlighted Raisi’s contributions to the development of good neighborly relations and efforts to bring the countries to the level of strategic partnership
