Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday, delivering a message from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iranian state media reported that Rezaei, who also serves as the Leader's representative, personally conveyed the message to Putin. Its contents were not disclosed.

Speaking after the meeting, Rezaei said the two sides discussed major regional developments, particularly the post-war situation and future security arrangements in West Asia.

He also revealed that energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks, including plans to construct a gas pipeline connecting Russia and Iran. According to Rezaei, the proposed project would help Iran address its domestic gas shortages while allowing Russian gas to reach neighbouring countries through Iranian infrastructure.

Rezaei said the Iranian Leader had asked him to deliver the message to Putin as soon as possible. He added that the Russian president had conveyed his warm greetings to Khamenei in response.

The meeting was attended by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov and Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU. Iran's delegation also included senior security official Ali Bagheri Kani and Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali, according to Iranian media reports.

The Kremlin confirmed that Putin received Rezaei at the presidential complex but initially provided few details about the discussions.

Thursday's meeting followed a telephone conversation between Putin and Rezaei on November 2, during which they discussed regional and international developments, particularly the situation in West Asia.

The talks came amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end hostilities involving Iran and the United States, with regional security arrangements, the future of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of nuclear negotiations among the major issues under discussion.

Tehran and Moscow have continued to strengthen their strategic partnership, which covers political, economic, security, defence and energy cooperation. The proposed gas pipeline would represent a further expansion of their energy ties. (ILKHA)