The presidents of Russia and Iran have held talks in the Kremlin before the signing of a broad cooperation pact to deepen their partnership amid stinging Western sanctions.

The agreement is focused more on trade than military issues, but it will bring two countries with a shared desire to challenge the West closer together.

Russian President Vladimir Putin began talks with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, at a summit on Friday to sign a new pact, as the two countries brace for the return of US President-elect Donald Trump to the White House.