TEHRAN - Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Iran later this month, the Kremlin said Friday, as the two countries back Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Moscow looks to step up business ties after the deal over Tehran's nuclear program.

Putin will attend the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to take place in Tehran on November 23, according to the Young Journalists’ Club (YJC).

The head of the Russian state will probably meet Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani and other leaders, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Friday.

“We are preparing for participation in the third summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum on November 23 in Tehran and our president will obviously go there,” the Kremlin representative stated.

SP/P