WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent formal condolences to Iran's Supreme Leader following the killing of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, underscoring the deepening ties between Moscow and Tehran amid their shared isolation from Western powers.

Putin's message, transmitted through diplomatic channels, praised Larijani as an instrumental figure in forging the strategic partnership that has seen both nations coordinate on military support for Syria, energy cooperation, and sanctions evasion mechanisms. The Russian leader emphasized their personal relationship, noting multiple meetings over recent years.

"Larijani represented the pragmatic wing of Iranian foreign policy that prioritized concrete bilateral gains over ideological posturing," said Dr. Maria Stepanova, director of Eurasian Studies at the Institute for Strategic Analysis. "His loss removes a key interlocutor who understood Russian strategic thinking."

The timing of Putin's tribute reflects Moscow's concern about maintaining momentum in Russia-Iran cooperation as both countries navigate intensifying Western pressure. Iranian officials have increasingly coordinated with Russian counterparts on military technology transfers and alternative payment systems to circumvent international banking restrictions. "Tehran will need to identify new champions for this relationship within their power structure," noted former State Department Iran specialist Robert Chen.