Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently held a meeting in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where they expressed a shared worldview amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly following a significant missile attack by Iran on Israel. This meeting highlights the strengthening military ties between Iran and Russia, especially since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, with Iran supplying drones and ballistic missiles to Russia. Putin noted that both countries are increasingly aligned in their international assessments, which has been beneficial for Iran, particularly in light of Western sanctions.