Moscow, Jan 17 (AP) The presidents of Russia and Iran opened their talks in the Kremlin on Friday before signing a broad cooperation pact.

The Kremlin said the "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" to be signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian covers all areas -- from trade and military cooperation to science, education and culture.

The signing comes ahead of the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to broker peace in Ukraine and take a tougher stance on Iran, which is grappling with growing economic problems and other challenges, including military setbacks in its sphere of influence across the Middle East.

After laying a wreath at the Unknown Soldier's Tomb at the Kremlin Wall, Pezeshkian and Putin sat down for talks, their third meeting since the Iranian leader's election last July.

Welcoming Pezeshkian as they sat down for talks, Putin said the new treaty will "give an additional impulse to practically all areas of our cooperatioon".

Pezeshkian said the documents will form a "solid foundation for our forward movement" and emphasised the "strategic importance" of ties with Moscow.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed any link with Trump's inauguration, saying the signing had been planned long ago.

Russia's ties with Iran have grown closer after Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine and the West have accused Tehran of providing Moscow with hundreds of exploding drones for use against Ukraine, which Moscow and Tehran have denied.

Last year, Iran joined the BRICS bloc of developing economies and Pezeshkian attended its summit hosted by Russia in Kazan.

Russia and Iran, which had troubled relations in the past, developed cordial ties after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, with Moscow emerging as a key trade partner and supplier of weapons and technologies for Tehran, which has faced bruising international sanctions.

Russia built Iran's first nuclear plant that was launched in 2013 and is building two more nuclear reactors there.

Russia was part of the 2015 deal between Iran and six nuclear powers offering sanctions relief for Tehran in exchange for curbing its atomic programme, and the Kremlin offered political support to Iran when the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement during Trump's first term.

Russia and Iran also pooled efforts to shore up Bashar Assad's government during Syria's civil war, but failed to prevent his swift demise last month after a blitz opposition offensive.

Assad's downfall dealt another blow to Tehran's self-described "Axis of Resistance" across the region, which had already been pummelled by Israel's offensives against two militant groups backed by Iran -- Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel also attacked Iran directly on two occasions.

Tehran increasingly needs Moscow's assistance as it faces economic woes and stinging setbacks across its sphere of influence in the Middle East. The troubles could deepen after Trump returns to the White House with his policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran.

In particular, Iran wants sophisticated Russian weapons like long-range air defence systems and fighter jets to help fend off possible attacks by Israel. (AP) ARI