Putin in Tehran for Syria talks

Speaking on the sidelines of a Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Tehran, Putin, sitting beside Khamenei, said that the two nations shared “very similar” views on war-torn Syria.

According to footage broadcasted by the Russian channel Russia-24 which was reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Putin said at the meeting that “No one from outside is able to impose upon the Syrian people any sort of rule for their country or say who should take over its leadership”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (right) to discuss current affairs in Syria. The transcript did not clarify specifically what Putin was referring to, but given Russia’s prominent role in political negotiations and its diplomatic efforts with Iran’s rivals in the Persian Gulf, there have probably been incentives and pressure to reduce support for Assad.

Russia, which has built Iran’s only functioning nuclear reactor in the southern city of Bushehr, signed an agreement with Iran previous year to establish as many as eight more.

President Vladimir Putin has eased an export ban on nuclear equipment and technology toIran, a Kremlin decree published on Monday showed, after Tehran struck a deal with world powers on its nuclear programme in July.

Moscow and Tehran have supported Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad and insist that he be part of an interim political process and future elections.

Iran’s gas production more than doubled over a decade to 160.5 billion cubic metres in 2012, before the latest sanctions took full effect, and Rouhani said capacity would surge to more than 1 trillion cubic metres in another two years.

Putin, whose comments were published on his official website, also said: “We will continue mutually beneficial cooperation in nuclear energy”.

The former Soviet Union was the first state to recognize Iran as an Islamic republic after the 1979 revolution, though Moscow later provided Saddam Hussein with weapons during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

Nigerian president for his part praised the successful holding of 3rd GECF; “Nigeria closely watches Iran’s progress in especially oil and gas industries, and with its ample natural resources, seeks to use Iran’s capabilities to develop its economy”, he told the meeting.

Putin called Iran a “certain and reliable ally in the region and the world”.

In order to enhance the effectiveness of joint operations by Russian Federation and Iran against the Islamic State Moscow is keen to encourage Tehran by supplying its S-300 air defense systems, issuing an export loan and launching joint projects in energy and construction.

Russian companies are eyeing business opportunities after sanctions on Iran are lifted, expected in the next two months, as the nuclear deal reaches its “implementation” stage.