Tehran, Jan 16 (NationPress) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call on Friday, acknowledging Russia's steadfast support at the United Nations, as reported by the Iranian President's office.

Pezeshkian commended Russia's stance in defending Iran's legitimacy at the UN and various international forums, underscoring his administration's commitment to a people-centered domestic policy aimed at addressing public concerns and alleviating the hardships caused by the harsh sanctions imposed on the nation, according to a release on the presidency's official website.

In the conversation, Pezeshkian updated Putin on the recent developments in Iran, pointing out the direct influence and interventions by the United States, Israel, and certain European nations in these events, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Moreover, the Iranian President highlighted the excellent relations and collaboration between the two nations in various fields, including economy, investment, transportation, and energy. He assured that ongoing cooperative projects are advancing smoothly without any reported issues.

In response, Putin remarked that Russia is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and noted that recent occurrences resemble scenarios of color revolutions.

The Russian leader condemned the actions of the 'rioters' in Iran, who have stormed government and religious sites and launched violent attacks against security forces with foreign backing. He expressed hope for an improvement in Iran's economic conditions, thanks to the Iranian government's initiatives.

Putin emphasized Russia's diplomatic endeavors to clarify Iran's circumstances and positions while aiming to prevent any escalation on the international stage.

He reaffirmed Russia's ongoing interest in further enhancing relations with Iran, expressing satisfaction with the progress made in cooperative projects.

Protests have erupted in multiple Iranian cities since late December due to the rapid devaluation of the rial. Authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and expressed readiness to tackle economic grievances while cautioning against violence and unrest.

Initially peaceful, the protests have escalated into violence, resulting in casualties and damage to public property, mosques, government buildings, and banks, especially on January 8 and 9, with Iranian authorities attributing the unrest to the United States and Israel.