Several senior Russian missile specialists have visited Iran over the past year as the Islamic Republic has deepened its defense cooperation with Moscow, reports indicate.

Over the past three years, the partnership has become deeper still, as Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, and the resulting Western pressure, have helped transform Russia into an international pariah. That has turned the Islamic Republic into something resembling a lifeline for Mr. Putin’s government.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has issued a warning to "bullying" Western powers and their calls for negotiations.