Meet President Putin, Iranian Leader Raisi Says West Supports Israel's Genocide In Gaza

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the West supported Israeli genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

President Putin welcomed the Iranian leader in the Kremlin, after visiting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, discussing the war in Gaza and Ukraine as well as Russia and OPEC's efforts to boost oil prices.

On the occasion President Putin said it was very important to discuss the situation in the Middle East, especially in the Palestinian territories.

"What happened in Palestine and Gaza is of course genocide and crimes against humanity," President Raisi said through an interpreter.

He said it was "more sad" that it was supported by the United States and Western countries.

Interestingly, the two leaders did not mention increasing military cooperation between the two countries, a concern the United States is concerned that Iran is supplying weapons to Russia for war in Ukraine.

Iran is known to support the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza, in its war with Israel. Russia has ties to all key players in the region including Hamas and Israel.

Separately, observers say the conflict has helped Russia by diverting the world's attention from the war in Ukraine, allowing Moscow to align itself with developing countries in solidarity with Palestine.

Russia and Arab countries say the West is showing double standards in support of Israeli bombings and sieges in Gaza, accusing Moscow of war crimes.

Israel previously said allegations of genocide were deeply unfortunate and its actions targeted Hamas, not civilians.