WANA (Nov 18) – In a new chapter of diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Moscow, preparations are underway for a potential visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Iran. According to a report by RIA Novosti, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh confirmed that Putin’s trip is currently being planned within the framework of the Caspian Sea Littoral States Summit, set to be held in the summer of 2026.

 

Khatibzadeh stated: “At present, at least one visit during the Caspian Summit is on the agenda. This is what we are working on.”

 

He also suggested that a separate visit by the Russian president outside international events should not be ruled out, noting that the two countries have multiple reasons to pursue high-level meetings in Tehran and Moscow.

 

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow views positively Iran’s proposal to host the 7th Caspian Summit on 12 August 2026 in Tehran.

 

In May 2025, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told RIA Novosti that Iran had begun preparations for Putin’s trip. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed at the time that exact dates had not yet been finalized, though the Russian president had received a valid invitation to visit Iran.

 

Meanwhile, as tensions rise between Kabul and Islamabad, Iran is set to host a regional meeting of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries with the participation of Russia and China, a move viewed by analysts as part of Tehran’s broader regional diplomacy in Central Asia.