Tehran - (AFP) - Iran has expressed its willingness to contribute to "putting an end" to the war between Moscow and Kiev, according to what the Secretary of its Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, told his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, in Tehran on Wednesday.

The visit of the Russian official comes in light of the rapprochement witnessed for months in the relations between Tehran and Moscow, which are subject to US sanctions.

It also comes as Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of using Iranian-made drones to attack Ukrainian targets, most notably energy facilities. After Iran repeatedly denied sending weapons to any party "for use in war", it admitted for the first time last week that it had provided Russia with such aircraft before the start of the war in late February.

On Wednesday, Shamkhani reaffirmed Tehran's support for "any ceasefire initiative between Russia and Ukraine based on dialogue," according to the official IRNA news agency.

He stressed his country's readiness "to play a role in putting an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine."

For its part, the Russian Security Council said in a statement that the two sides "exchanged views on a series of international problems, especially the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East."

On November 5, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed that his country had supplied Russia with "a limited number of drones months before the war in Ukraine."

Tehran previously confirmed that it would not remain "indifferent" if Ukraine provided it with evidence of Russia's use of these drones against it.

This issue raises tension between Tehran and Kiev, as the latter reduced Iran's diplomatic presence there, and warned it of "the consequences of complicity in crimes" that Moscow is accused of committing.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak considered that Patrushev's visit to Tehran indicates that the "Kremlin is exhausted" by the war.

He wrote on Twitter, "The resources of the Russian Federation are running out. Hence the hysterical requests for a break (negotiations). Hence Patrushev's visit to Tehran: looking for a way to continue the war, obtaining missiles / drones," considering that this should be an incentive. To double" Western military aid to Ukraine.

Tehran has previously denied press reports about its intention to supply Russia with ballistic missiles and additional numbers of drones.

For his part, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi confirmed during his meeting with Patrushev that "the principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to oppose war."

"The widening and escalation of the war are a source of concern for all countries," he added, according to a statement by the presidency.

Western parties, including Washington and the European Union, recently imposed sanctions on Tehran over the drone issue, in addition to those imposed on it under various headings, most notably the nuclear program.

During his meeting with Patrushev, Shamkhani stressed the importance of the two countries "establishing joint institutions to confront the sanctions."

For its part, the Russian statement spoke of the two officials' affirmation of "the importance of enhancing the exchange of experiences regarding the development of economic capabilities ... and the strengthening of economic relations" between them in the face of "the pressures imposed through sanctions."

On the other hand, the Russian Security Council stated that the discussion dealt "in detail with issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of maintaining security, including cooperation in order to ensure public security and confront terrorism and extremism."

The issue of "information security" was also discussed, in addition to measures aimed at confronting the interference of Western security services in the internal affairs of our two countries.

Patrushev's visit comes at a time when Iran has been witnessing protests for weeks following the death of Mahsa Amini, which led to the death of dozens, including members of the security forces.

Iranian officials accused "enemies", led by the United States, of involvement in the "riots". Tehran also criticized Western positions in support of the protests, considering them "interference" in its internal affairs.

Iran also witnessed, on October 26, an attack on a religious shrine in the city of Shiraz (south), which killed 13 people and was claimed by the Islamic State.