Vladimir Putin , Embarks on Trip to Bolster Ties , with Iran and Turkey.br On July 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin br started his visit to Iran and Turkey intended br to deepen ties with Tehran and Ankara.br On July 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin br started his visit to Iran and Turkey intended br to deepen ties with Tehran and Ankara.br NBC reports that the move by Moscow br has heightened tension between Russia br and western powers, including the United States. .br According to NBC, Putin is scheduled br to hold talks with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi br and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.br According to NBC, Putin is scheduled br to hold talks with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi br and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.br The leaders are expected to discuss a number of issues facing the region, including the conflict in Syria and a United Nations proposal to combat the global food crisis.br The leaders are expected to discuss a number of issues facing the region, including the conflict in Syria and a United Nations proposal to combat the global food crisis.br NBC reports that the trip comes as Russia br has grown increasingly isolated and comes br closer to a confrontation with the West.br Putin's trip comes just days after U.S. President br Joe Biden met with leaders in Israel and br Saudi Arabia, Iran's main rivals in the region.br Putin's trip comes just days after U.S. President br Joe Biden met with leaders in Israel and br Saudi Arabia, Iran's main rivals in the region.br Biden reportedly urged the two nations to push back br against Russian, Chinese and Iranian influences which br have expanded with the U.S. withdrawal from the region.br NBC reports that Iran's partnership br with Russia comes as Tehran faces harsh br U.S. sanctions that show no sign of lifting.br Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian br wrote on Twitter that the meetings would , “develop economic cooperation, focus on security of the region via political solution ... and ensure food security.”.br The meetings will also reportedly focus on the decade-br long conflict in Syria, where both Iran and Russia have br supported President Bashar Assad's government.