The Russian President Vladimir Putin on his first visit to Iran in eight years has held talks with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.<br /><br /> Ostensibly for a one-day gas summit, the trip was overshadowed by the war in Syria, where both countries support the government in Damascus.<br /><br /> The leaders agreed that global powers should not impose their will on Syria.<br /><br /> Putin told the meeting of the world’s main gas producers that the long-term contracts which determine Moscow’s deals with most European countries should not be modified.<br /><br /> President Rohani told the gathering that Iran wanted to play a bigger role in supplying gas to the global market, saying that the country was dramatically increasing its natural gas export capacity in preparation for the lifting of international sanctions.<br /><br /> Among the 11 nations who form the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Russia, Iran and Qatar hold the majority of the world’s reserves.<br /><br /> In its energy outlook, BP predicts that demand for natural gas will grow cons
