Putin and Iran 'need each other desperately,' expert says, as Russia voices support for regime

Experts state that Russia and Iran's relationship is intensifying due to mutual desperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed solidarity with Iran during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. Both nations are facing economic hardship and require each other's assistance. Russia needs Iran for missile production, while Iran relies on Russian intelligence for attacks in the Middle East. This partnership is strategically important for both countries, with Russia viewing Iran as a tool against the U.S. and Iran seeing Russia as a lifeline for military, economic, and political support. The conflict between the U.S. and Iran is described as a test of wills, with Iran aiming to survive and disrupt maritime trade rather than achieve outright victory.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey's pursuit of closer ties with Eastern nations, including potential full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), does not signify a departure from the West. Speaking after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey aims to maintain its Western alliances. During their discussion, Erdogan and Putin expressed a shared hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine. Erdogan also highlighted the need for enhanced maritime security in the Black Sea to ensure the safety of commercial shipping and prevent a recurrence of the grain crisis.