Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held their first in-person meeting in Turkmenistan, focusing on the success of their bilateral relations amidst shared international perspectives. The meeting took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with potential Israeli retaliation expected following a missile barrage. Putin emphasized the alignment of Moscow's and Tehran's views on global issues, as both countries face Western sanctions and strengthen military ties. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum warned of increasing sabotage and assassination attempts by Russia and Iran in the UK. Pezeshkian accepted Putin's invitation to visit Russia, reinforcing their diplomatic engagement. This collaboration is part of a broader strategy to counter Western influence, according to military and intelligence officials from the U.S. and UK.