London

Vladimir Putin has arrived in Iran to forge a new alliance, with both sanctions-hit countries united by their hatred for the West.

The Russian leader will meet President Ebrahim Raisi and Ayatollah Khamenei, the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, during the talks aimed at boosting ties between the two countries.

 It is only the second time that Putin has been abroad since launching his invasion of Ukraine five months ago.

The meeting comes amid warnings from the US last week that Iran is preparing to sell drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had said Tehran is planning to provide 'hundreds' of combat drones to Moscow, and Iranian soldiers will train their Russian counterparts in how to use the drones -- with lessons beginning in just a few weeks.

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It has been suggested that Russia will offer unspecified military assistance in exchange for the drones.