Putin meets with Iranian official - and then the warning from Moscow arrives

Putin met with an Iranian official in the Kremlin amid fears of American attacks. Meanwhile, Moscow issued a travel warning to its citizens. The meeting followed a phone call between the two, and Iran insists on the removal of sanctions as a condition for negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, amid fears of renewed American attacks on Iran. Meanwhile, Moscow issued a travel warning to its citizens. The meeting took place three days after a phone call between the two on developments in the Middle East. According to Iranian media, the two emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation, and Rezaei thanked Putin for Russia's support of Iran during the war. The consultations coincide with diplomatic efforts to renew negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with the last round of talks mediated by Qatar ending without a breakthrough. Iran insists on the removal of the American blockade and easing of sanctions. Moscow expressed concern over the possibility of another American attack and called for increased diplomatic efforts. The article notes that it was not reported whether Putin and Rezaei discussed a new Russian mediation proposal or security assistance to Tehran.