LONDON:  Vladimir Putin has reportedly reached Iran to forge a fearsome new alliance, with both sanctions-hit countries united by their hatred for the West.

During the talks intended to improve ties between the regimes, the Russian leader will meet with President Ebrahim Raisi and Ayatollah Khamenei, according to reports.

It is only the second consecutive time that Putin has been abroad since launching his invasion of Ukraine 5  months ago. The meeting takes place after last week's US concerns that Iran is getting ready to supply drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, according to reports

According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Tehran intends to give Moscow "hundreds" of combat drones, and Iranian soldiers will train their Russian counterparts to operate the drones starting in a few weeks.

A Russian delegation visited an Iranian airfield on June 8 and July 5 to look at drones that may be used to target artillery fire and attack Ukrainian military equipment, the White House said. However, there have been rumours that Russia will provide vague military support in exchange for the drones.

The gathering has symbolic significance for Putin at home, demonstrating Russia's global influence as it becomes more and more isolated and escalates its conflict with the West.

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