Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu has said that cooperation between Russia and Iran is reaching a new level despite sanctions pressure from the United States and other Western countries.

Shoigu made the remark when he met with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, in Tehran on Wednesday.

Iran is said to be providing drones and other weapons to Russia, which continues its aggression in Ukraine.

Shoigu also expressed Moscow's intention to further strengthen military cooperation with Iran.

The Russian defense ministry said Shoigu visited an exhibition of weapons owned by Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The items he inspected reportedly include Iranian missiles and latest drones.

Russia has reportedly bought Iranian suicide drones and is trying to produce unmanned craft with Iran's cooperation.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Observers say Moscow is working to deepen military ties with North Korea and Iran, which are at odds with Western nations, as Russia faces an arms shortage amid its continued invasion of Ukraine.