QINGDAO, China (AP)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he would like to discuss the situation following the U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at the start of his Saturday's meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Qingdao, China, Rouhani hailed close ties between Russia and Iran.

Iran has an observer status in the SCO, and Putin said that Moscow would support the full-fledged Iranian membership. Rouhani said that the U.S. exit from the nuclear agreement with Iran warrants an "important and serious discussion between our two countries."

Rouhani also hailed Russia-Iran cooperation in Syria, saying "our role in the region is quite significant." Russia and Iran have staunchly backed Syrian President Bashar Assad, helping turn the tide of war in his favor.