PUTIN: WE ARE READY TO ASSIST TEHRAN IN EASING REGIONAL CRISIS

MOSCOW, OCTOBER 8 /SRNA/ - Russia is ready to do everything in its power to help Iran address the crisis in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan.

Putin said the situation in the Middle East was currently the most serious problem in the region, but added that Moscow was aware Iran was taking concrete steps aimed at ending the conflict.

He said the meeting with Pezeshkian provided an opportunity to discuss all current issues.

Putin noted that relations between the two countries continued to develop positively on the basis of agreements signed early last year.

He also cited humanitarian cooperation as a positive example, saying a large number of joint activities were being organized in that field.

Putin stressed that economic cooperation was developing within the framework of a comprehensive agreement that provides the basis for further strengthening Russian-Iranian relations.

The Russian president asked Pezeshkian to convey his best wishes to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Sputnik reported.

The meeting between the two presidents took place during Putin's two-day visit to Turkmenistan, where he is attending a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State and the Caspian Environmental Summit.