Russia is prepared to take all possible steps to help achieve peace in the Middle East as quickly as possible, President Vladimir Putin said during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Araghchi, in turn, emphasized that ties between Moscow and Tehran amount to a strategic partnership that will continue to grow stronger, The Caspian Post reports, citing TASS.

According to key points compiled from the meeting, Putin noted that he had received a message last week from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

He asked Araghchi to pass on his gratitude for the message along with wishes for Khamenei’s health and well-being.

The Russian president also remarked that the Iranian people are defending their sovereignty with courage and determination. He expressed hope that they would overcome the current challenges and that peace would eventually prevail.

Putin reiterated that Russia is willing to do everything within its capacity to ensure peace in the Middle East is achieved as soon as possible, adding that Moscow intends to preserve its strategic relationship with Iran.

Araghchi said he was pleased to meet with Putin and conveyed warm greetings from both Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

He stated that Iran has been able to withstand pressure from the United States благодаря its resilience and will continue to do so. Araghchi also expressed gratitude to Russia for its support, stressing that relations between the two countries represent a high-level strategic partnership that will keep developing regardless of circumstances.