Putin Meets Iranian Security Chief, Receives Khamenei Message

Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Nov. 5 and delivered a message from Iran's supreme leader. Yuri Ushakov and Igor Kostyukov were also present. Speaking to reporters afterward, Rezaei said the sides held consultations on important regional issues. He said the supreme leader had asked him to convey the message as soon as possible and that Putin sent warm and sincere greetings to the supreme leader. Rezaei said they held important discussions concerning the postwar period and regional security arrangements. He said Putin condemned the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, regarded the war against Iran as unjust, and declared he would do everything in his power to help bring the war to an end. The meeting also addressed gas pipelines from Russia to Iran to ease Iran's gas shortage, Rezaei said. An Iranian source told Al Mayadeen that Rezaei stated Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met. Rezaei previously commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for 16 years and was an adviser to the supreme leader.