Putin holds talks with Iranian security chief as Turkish soldier killed by fire from Iran

Putin met Iran’s top security official at the Kremlin as Moscow urged Russians to avoid travel to Iran, while Turkey said a soldier was killed by cross-border fire from Iran.

Russia and Iran discuss regional developments amid growing tensions on Thursday, while Ankara and Tehran investigate a deadly shooting along their shared border.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei as Moscow and Tehran continued diplomatic coordination amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, according to reports by Russian and Iranian media.

The talks reportedly focused on regional and international developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East, as Russia and Iran sought to maintain their strategic cooperation.

Moscow has also urged Russians to avoid travel to Iran, warning that fighting in the region could resume, Interfax reported, citing a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. Earlier this week, Zakharova voiced concern over signs that new military action against Iran was being planned, saying Moscow backed mediation efforts and stood ready to help reach a solution acceptable to all sides.

Additionally, Rezaei delivered a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Putin, according to Iranian state media, which did not say what the message contained, Reuters reported.

Russia rejects reports of tanker diversions

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev dismissed media reports that Russian tankers traveling to the United States had changed course.

Dmitriev described the reports as "fake news" in a post on X/Twitter, insisting that the vessels were continuing along their planned routes.

The Kremlin also said on Thursday that Russian diesel shipments would reach buyers, rejecting suggestions that the reported developments would disrupt deliveries.

The statements came as Moscow continued to navigate its economic relationship with Washington while maintaining close strategic and diplomatic ties with Tehran.