Russian President Vladimir Putin said he shares a “very close” worldview with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, as the sanctioned leaders held a friendly inaugural meeting just as the Middle East braces for Israel’s response to Tehran’s largest-ever missile attack last week.

Russian and Iranian presidents meet to discuss bilateral relations and the Middle East crisis as tensions escalate in the region following Hamas's attack on Israel and subsequent retaliations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proclaimed their “close” ties during a meeting Friday during which Putin said he aims to create a “new world order.” The two met for the first time in Turkmenistan,

The leaders are "actively working together in the international arena," Putin said, according to a Russian media outlet