Vladimir Putin to Visit Iran on November 23

The Kremlin announced on Friday, November 22, that Vladimir Putin will visit Iran in ten days. Iran and Russia are key supporters of Bashar al-Assad's regime, and following Iran's nuclear agreement with the international community, Moscow is looking to expand economic relations with Tehran. According to AFP, Mr. Putin will travel to Tehran for the summit of major gas-exporting countries on November 23. A senior foreign policy advisor in the Russian presidential office stated that Mr. Putin will meet with Iranian leaders and hold separate discussions during this visit. The last visit of the Russian leader to Tehran was in 2007. The Kremlin's foreign policy advisor told reporters on Friday, "It is completely natural for Mr. Putin to discuss bilateral relations with leaders of other countries, including the host country, during this visit." Russia and Iran are the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian army in the war against opponents. The Russian government began air operations against the regime's opponents in Syria in late September, and it is reported that the Iranian government has also sent several thousand armed forces to Syria to fight alongside the government forces. Meanwhile, global and regional powers have initiated extensive diplomatic efforts to end the five-year civil war in Syria, which has claimed 250,000 lives so far. On Saturday, about 20 countries and international organizations will participate in the Syrian peace negotiations taking place in Vienna. The aim of these negotiations is to agree on a ceasefire plan between government forces and some opposition groups and to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis. The governments of Iran and Syria disagree with the U.S. and its regional allies, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, over the timing of Bashar al-Assad's departure from power. Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran coincides with Russia's efforts to expand economic relations with Iran following the nuclear agreement and the lifting of international sanctions. Russia has provoked anger from the U.S. and Israel by reviving the contract for the sale of the S-300 missile defense system, which was canceled in 2010 due to UN sanctions against Iran. At the same time, Russia is trying to ensure it does not miss out on this large market as other countries prepare for major contracts in Iran's energy sector.