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Tehran, Moscow differ on Syria, but share interests elsewhere

Russia and Iran are cautious about labeling their relationship an alliance, but when they say it is a partnership, they mean it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Ali Akbar Velayati, a top advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia July 12, 2018. Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1122CD2770
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MOSCOW — On Jan. 28, Russia's special envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin landed in Jerusalem for two days of talks with their Israeli colleagues. Yuval Rotem, director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, was among the first to host the Russian officials.

“We had a meaningful and insightful discussion about a variety of regional issues,” Rotem wrote on Twitter, calling the overall meeting productive.

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