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Clerics delivering the political speeches on the weekly Islamic holy day are appointed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and reflect prevailing sentiment within the theocracy.

Tehran's interim Friday Prayer imam, Kazem Sedighi, spoke out against talks with Washington, dismissing the idea that Iran needs to reduce sanctions to address its current economic crisis.

Sedighi's remarks were in line with Iranian hardliners who continue to criticize the proponents of reconciliation with the West.

"To think that if the United States reconciles with us, our livelihood will prosper and our needs will be met goes against reason, experience, and the Holy Quran. God has not permitted a faithful community to live under the banner of disbelief," Sedighi said.

"Those who speak of reconciliation with the United States and trample on past experiences and the blood of martyrs should know that our people have sacrificed their blood and youth," he added.

Since Iran's regional military setbacks last year and the steep fall in the value of its currency, many officials and politicians loyal to the Islamic Republic have called for negotiations with the US, citing the need to transcend an economic crisis that has impoverished tens of millions of Iranians.

The Friday imam of Karaj, a city near Tehran, also criticized those who believe the promises of the "Enemy"—a term used by Iranian officials for the United States—but conceded that talks benefiting Iran could be permitted.

"Negotiations that safeguard national interests are acceptable as long as those interests are not compromised," Mohammad Mehdi Hamedani said, adding, "However, based on past experiences, if negotiations occur under conditions that fail to protect national interests, they will result in yet another outright loss."

Both clerics urged the public not to trust the US, arguing for the need to raise awareness about what they described as the duplicity of major powers and their empty promises. They urged the public not to trust non-state information and what they described as "propaganda by enemies."

Iranian officials have grown increasingly concerned about what they perceive as widespread ideological apathy among the Iranian population and a declining trust in the Islamic Republic, particularly following the 2022 nationwide anti-state protests.

Despite decades of strict media control and internet restrictions, Iranians continue to watch Persian-language satellite television channels broadcast from abroad and use circumvention tools to access uncensored information online.

"Some people express concern and attempt to alarm us over Trump’s return," Ramezan Sharif said on Friday. "We have faced and overcome every American president, all united in their hostility toward the Revolution. We endured Trump’s four-year term, and he, more than most, understands the strength of Iran."

During his first term, Trump enacted a series of measures to weaken Iran’s economy and diminish its regional influence, particularly targeting its nuclear program. He withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. His policy became known as "maximum pressure."

Earlier in December, Trump's newly appointed Middle East advisor, Massad Boulos, announced that the incoming administration plans to revive its maximum pressure strategy against Iran, signaling a clear intent to reinforce the country’s isolation.

The media have also highlighted this, with Bloomberg reporting on Thursday that advisers to Trump are devising a comprehensive sanctions strategy to ramp up pressure on Iran, citing sources familiar with the matter.

On Monday, The Economist described Iran as "vulnerable to a Trumpian all-out economic assault," while The Spectator warned, "Trump’s presidency could spell the end of Iran’s regime."

According to the source, the delegation from Iran was given the option to either wait in the lounge or return to their hotel, as Putin was not yet ready to meet.

Pezeshkian decided to leave the Kremlin under the pretext of saying prayers before returning for the delayed meeting.

Putin has routinely made world leaders await his arrival in what is widely viewed as a psychological tactic by the former KGB operative. In two of the most notorious instances, Putin kept German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych waiting for around four hours.

Leaders from Japan, Mongolia and Israel were made to wait for up to three hours. In 2003, Putin kept Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom waiting for almost 15 minutes, a rare slight for the revered monarch.

In 2012, then-US President Barack Obama had to delay post-meeting plans by 40 minutes due to Putin's tardiness.

Analysts believe Putin aims to throw off counterparts and gain an advantage in negotiations with the move, which has mostly been deployed with leaders not in favor with Moscow.

At a joint press conference after signing the agreement, the two leaders said Russia and Iran would increase cooperation across a range of areas including politics, security, trade, transport and energy.

Before their meeting, Pezeshkian and his delegation were kept waiting for around an hour as Putin arrived late, a source told Iran International.

Iran and Russia have strengthened ties in recent years, pushed together by isolation led by the United States and shared strategic interest in resisting Washington.

In the strategic pact signed on Friday, the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of security and defense, Russian state-run TASS news agency reported.

"Russia and Iran have agreed that in the event of an attack on one party, the other party will under no circumstances support the aggressor," the report said.

Putin told the joint press conference that plans are advancing to export natural gas to Iran as part of the agreement, saying Russian supply to Iran could ultimately reach 55 billion cubic meters per year.

But he cited delays to Russia's efforts to build up nuclear power infrastructure in Iran, adding that Moscow is considering further construction to address the situation.

"We have a huge project in the nuclear power industry. One unit is already operating successfully. We are now discussing the possibility of building additional units."

During the press conference, Pezeshkian expressed support for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through negotiations, saying Western countries must respect the security concerns of other nations.

"The agreements and policies signed today emphasize understanding, avoiding unilateralism, and cooperating with regional actors to resolve issues within the region, making the intervention of other countries in the Middle East unnecessary."

Both nations have faced Western sanctions - Russia due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Iran over its support for armed groups in the Mideast, nuclear program and human rights abuses.

Moscow and Tehran have stepped up military cooperation and Russia has deployed Iranian drones and missiles in Ukraine, despite Tehran's denials.

In the Middle East, Iran and Russia have collaborated closely particularly in Syria, where the downfall of their longtime ally Bashar al-Assad was a major setback.

This evolving geopolitical landscape has further incentivized Tehran and Moscow to solidify their partnership. Analysts say the pact’s timing is a sign Moscow and Tehran are bracing for Donald Trump’s return to the White House this month.

Advisers to Trump, who takes office next Monday, are reportedly crafting a wide-ranging sanctions strategy to facilitate a Russia-Ukraine diplomatic accord in the coming months while at the same time squeezing Iran, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

According to the source speaking to Iran International, following Putin's delay the Iranian presidential delegation was given the option to either wait in a lounge or return to their hotel.

Pezeshkian decided to leave the Kremlin under the pretext of saying prayers before returning for the delayed meeting.

Putin has routinely made world leaders await his arrival in what is widely viewed as a psychological tactic by the former KGB operative but usually employed with leaders Moscow views as an adversary.

Describing Iran-Russia relations as sensitive and strategic, Pezeshkian stressed Iran’s commitment to deepening ties, according to Iranian media covering the meeting.

He also stressed that regional issues should be resolved by the countries within the region without interference from external powers. "Our enhanced relations will thwart the plans of those seeking to destabilize the region and impose their policies," Pezeshkian said, while Russia is not part of the region.

During the meeting, the Iranian president confirmed plans to sign a long-awaited strategic agreement, saying it would strengthen Iran-Russia cooperation in economic, cultural, trade, and security areas.

He also highlighted progress on a joint project to build a new nuclear power plant in Iran and pointed to the removal of obstacles hindering the expansion of bilateral ties. "We have worked to remove barriers to expanding our relations," he added.