The presidents of Russia and Iran have held talks in the Kremlin before the signing of a broad cooperation pact to deepen their partnership amid stinging Western sanctions.

The two countries have been engaged in unprecedented rapprochement since the start of the war in Ukraine, with Moscow seeking to demonstrate that it is not isolated and a weakened Tehran needing Russian support.

The agreement is focused more on trade than military issues, but it will bring two countries with a shared desire to challenge the West closer together.