Russia's Putin says hopes for deal on Iran's nuclear programme soon
ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he hoped Iran and world powers would reach a final agreement soon on Tehran's nuclear programme. Speaking at an annual economic forum in St Petersburg, Putin also said Moscow's backing for Syria's Bashar al-Assad was driven by concerns that any forcible overthrow of the president would plunge his war-shattered country into even deeper disarray. (Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Gareth Jones)