Putin to meet Iran president Friday in Turkmenistan 

moscow — 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to conscionable Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian for talks Friday astatine a forum successful the Central Asian state of Turkmenistan, a elder adjutant said Monday.

Yury Ushakov, Putin's adjutant connected overseas policy, told journalists the leaders would conscionable successful Ashgabat portion attending an lawsuit celebrating a Turkmen poet.

"This gathering has large value some for discussing bilateral issues arsenic good as, of course, discussing the sharply escalated concern successful the Middle East," Ushakov said.

Leaders of Central Asian countries are gathering to commemorate the 300th day of the commencement of 18th-century writer Magtymguly Pyragy.

Putin's attendance had not been antecedently announced.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin visited Iran past week for talks with Pezeshkian and First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.

The talks travel arsenic Israel intensively bombs Lebanon, targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah, and Russia has evacuated immoderate citizens.

Russia has adjacent relations with Iran, and Western governments person accused Tehran of supplying Moscow with drones and missiles, which it has repeatedly denied.

Pezeshkian volition besides clasp talks with Putin during a sojourn to Russia this period to enactment successful a BRICS acme of emerging economies.