Iran is making arrangements for a visit from Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported on Monday by Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, citing information from Russia’s state-run RIA news agency.

“Preparations for Putin’s trip to Tehran are currently in progress,” Mohajerani stated. The Kremlin has yet to provide any immediate response.

In 2022, Putin met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a visit to Iran, marking his first journey outside the former Soviet Union following his decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

While Moscow has procured weapons from Iran to support its operations in Ukraine and established a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Tehran earlier this year, the historical relationship between the two has been complex since it began in the 16th century when Muscovy officially engaged with the Persian Empire.

Iranian officials express that while Moscow often adopts a hardline stance, it remains cautious about becoming overly involved in a significant conflict in the Middle East, notwithstanding Russia’s military involvement in Syria that began in 2015.

Unlike some agreements Russia has made with other nations, the strategic partnership established with Iran earlier this year lacks a clause for mutual defense.