Historic Meeting at Caspian Sea Summit (VIDEO)

Western countries have historically sought tougher sanctions against Iran, but Russia has been less critical over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Caspian Sea Photo courtesy: kazakhembus.com

(TEHRAN, Iran) - The leader of a major power has not visited Tehran since 1943, during the second world war, and there is no doubt that the visit of President Vladimir Putin is being closely watched by nations interested in this oil and natural gas rich part of the world that borders the Caspian Sea.

The five country's leaders agreed that under the new program, no western nation will ever be allowed to use any of the five countries to launch aggressive military action against any of the other Caspian Sea countries.

Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, remains at a standoff with the United States and other western powers. His nuclear power program at the Bushehr Power Plant has been partly funded by the Russians. But Iranians express frustration over the fact that the plant is only 90% complete.

Russian contractors are held to blame for the lack of progress in some circles, but Tehran says construction has been delayed because of extreme pressure from western governments.

Western countries have historically sought tougher sanctions against Iran, but Russia has been less critical over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Western powers will be watching the Putin's visit very closely for any signs there's a shift in Moscow's policies over Iran nuclear program - a matter Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says is closed.

President Putin says he favors diplomacy over sanctions, but if relations break down, western powers may feel compelled to seek more sanctions, possibly with the support of Russia.

The five Caspian states are Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

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Courtesy: Al Jazeera and YouTube