Footage released by the Iranian government showed Shoigu meeting with his counterpart in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, President Masoud Pezeshkian and the chief of staff of the I.R.I. army, Mohammad Bagheri.
Shoigu’s visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the southern part of West Asia, after the Iranian leadership announced that it intends to punish Israel after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday (July 31st) in Tehran.
The Iranian government is believed to have asked Russia for advanced air defense systems before it will begin its attack on Israel. Certain military flights from Russia to Iran, recently observed, would indicate that these deliveries have begun.
Iranian state media reported that Shoigu condemned Hanieh’s “cowardly” killing and said Russia was ready to offer “full cooperation with Iran on regional issues.”
“The common position and cooperation between Iran and Russia in promoting a multipolar world will undoubtedly lead to the further strengthening of global security and peace,” Pezeshkian said.