The story: Top Iranian officials have hosted the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, in Tehran. The close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin paid the visit amid growing western concern over Iran's arms sales to Moscow, which is waging war in Ukraine. The trip also coincided with a report in British media alleging that Russia flew money and seized western military equipment to Iran over the summer in exchange for drones.

The coverage: Meeting with Patrushev, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)—Ali Shamkhani—emphasized the importance of solidifying relations with neighboring countries to counter US sanctions.

• The top Iranian official also reiterated Tehran's declared support for diplomatic means to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
  
  
• President Ebrahim Raisi echoed the points made by Shamkhani in a separate meeting with Patrushev, hailing the two countries’ growing relations.
  
  

On his part, Patrushev described the main purpose of his trip as boosting collaboration in the fields of "politics, economy, energy...