TEHRAN - President Vladimir Putin has approved of a proposal by the Russian foreign ministry for signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Iran.

Putin expressed his approval through a decree that was issued on Wednesday.

The decree stated that signing of such an agreement would be “expedient,” without specifying the timing of its expected conclusion.

The development came a day after Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited Tehran and met with senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Shoigu emphasized that Putin had asked him to convey the message to the Iranian officials that Russia’s position on cooperation with Iran on regional issues had not changed.