When talks on the Iran nuclear deal stalled in early March, pre-existing divisions were compounded by new demands from Moscow for guarantees of unhampered trade with Tehran, in the context of new Western sanctions. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov's July 7 comment that Russia would do everything it could to secure a nuclear deal with Iran were an attempt to dispel perceptions that it might continue acting as spoiler.
The announcement of Putin's visit follows US claims that he is asking Tehran to supply him with armed drones.
Putin's Tehran trip will also be an opportunity for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to plead for Ukrainian grain exports.
A return to the nuclear deal would allow Iranian oil back into the global market at a time when it looks especially alluring.
