Vladimir Putin in Tehran for talks with leaders of Iran and Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi listen to their countries’ national anthem during the welcoming ceremony at the Saadabad palace, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 19, 2022 (Vahid Salemi/AP/PA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Iran on Tuesday for a visit intended to deepen ties with regional heavyweights as part of Moscow’s challenge to the United States and Europe amid its war in Ukraine.

In only his second trip abroad since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine in February, Putin is scheduled to hold talks with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the pressing issues facing the region, including the conflict in Syria and a UN-backed proposal to resume exports of Ukrainian grain to ease the global food crisis.