Sergei Shoigu, a senior Russian security official, engaged in discussions with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran on Tuesday, as reported by Russian and Iranian media. This meeting follows Shoigu’s recent encounter with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang.

Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has strengthened its relationships with both Iran and North Korea, nations that are adversarial towards the United States. The U.S. has expressed concern over these expanding ties, alleging that both countries are providing Russia with ballistic missiles for the ongoing conflict, a claim that Moscow refutes.

Shoigu’s visits occur at a pivotal juncture in the two-and-a-half-year war, with Kyiv urging the U.S. and its allies to permit the use of Western-supplied long-range weaponry to target strategic locations within Russian territory. Last week, President Vladimir Putin warned that if Western nations approved such actions, it would equate to direct confrontation with Russia, to which Moscow would respond accordingly.

The Nour news agency, which is linked to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reported that Shoigu had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Ahmadian. Details regarding the results of this meeting have not yet been disclosed.

Russia has consistently indicated that it is on the verge of finalizing a significant agreement with Iran to establish a strategic partnership between the two nations.

Shoigu served as Russia’s defense minister until May, when he transitioned to the role of secretary of the Security Council, which includes President Vladimir Putin’s military and intelligence leaders, along with other high-ranking officials.

In addition to his meeting with North Korea’s Kim last week, he also engaged in discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St. Petersburg.