Putin's Senior Ally Visits Tehran Amid Rising Tensions Over Hamas Leader's Killing

A senior ally of President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran to discuss escalating Middle East tensions with Iranian leaders. The visit comes after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Russia condemns. Amid these developments, Russia continues to deepen its defense cooperation with Iran, raising international concerns.

In a significant diplomatic move, a senior ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tehran on Monday for high-stakes discussions with Iranian leaders. The visit follows the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of Hamas, in Iran, an event that Russia has strongly condemned.

Sergei Shoigu, previously Russia's defense minister and now the secretary of Russia's Security Council, engaged in talks with top Iranian officials, including Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Russia's state-run Zvezda television highlighted these meetings, noting Shoigu will also confer with the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the head of the General Staff.

Senior Russian officials argue that the killing aims to destabilize the Middle East further and potentially provoke U.S. military intervention. As tensions mount, Russia seeks to fortify its alliance with Iran, including plans for a comprehensive cooperation agreement and ongoing defense collaborations.

(With inputs from agencies.)