TEHRAN - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Moscow on Thursday for an official meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The talks are expected to primarily focus on economic ties and the ongoing Israel’s cruel war on Gaza.

“Consultation on bilateral issues, including economic interactions, as well as dialogue on regional and international issues, especially the issue of Palestine and developments in Gaza, will be the main agenda of the president of our country in this one-day trip,” the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

The two leaders last spoke by phone on October 16, when they raised concerns about the war in Gaza.

They met in person on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, last year.

Russia and Iran are allied on several issues, including support for President Bashar Al Assad in Syria, and have both been subjected to Western economic sanctions.

Defense ties between the two countries have strengthened in recent years.

The U.S. has said it is concerned by the “burgeoning defense partnership” between the two states.

Both Iran and Russia are members of OPEC+, the organization of oil-producing countries that works to coordinate oil production levels.

Iran is also one of six countries that has been invited to join the BRICS economic bloc, which was originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are all set to formally join on January 1, 2024.

Raisi's visit comes after Putin's one-day visit to the Persian Gulf states of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The Russian president visited the UAE on Wednesday on a state visit.

He was welcomed by President Sheikh Mohamed at an official reception at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

The two leaders discussed Gaza, Ukraine, and Cop28. Both stressed the need for a lasting peace in Israel-Palestine based on a two-state solution.

Putin then went to Saudi Arabia that evening, where he was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“Nothing can prevent the development of our friendly relations,” Putin told Prince Mohammed.

“It is very important for all of us to exchange information and assessments with you on what is happening in the region. Our meeting is certainly timely,” the Russian president said.

“The kingdom and Russia are working together to achieve stability in the Middle East,” Prince Mohammed said during a live television broadcast.

Putin also invited the Saudi Crown Prince to visit Moscow.