Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he expected their conversation to “be in the interests of both countries”. Araghchi said late on Sunday night that he would have “serious and important discussions” with Putin in Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin says he has secured Israel’s pledge to safeguard Russian personnel at Iran’s Russia-built nuclear power plant and that he has reached out to both sides to try to end the week-old war.

Analysts say the Kremlin is prioritizing its own war against Ukraine, as well as its relations with Gulf nations that don’t want to see a stronger Iran.