Topics: World News, News, US News, Donald Trump, Iran
Following Donald Trump's 'total obliteration' of three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, Russian leader Vladimir Putin has chosen his side.
The 79-year-old United States President took aim at bases in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on Sunday (22 June), just days after claiming he'd set a two-week window to decide on possible intervention in Middle Eastern politics.
It later emerged that Trump's attack came in response to a sleeper-cell terror threat made by Iran. This describes spies and terrorists hiding in the US, who live unassuming lives until they're ordered to act by officials from their governments, as per The Independent.
In an unnerving new update from Russia, however - a week on from Israel's initial and sudden missile attack on the country - Putin has now vowed to back Iran in any further warfare in the Middle East.
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Speaking with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who travelled to the Russian capital Moscow to seek support from his north-eastern neighbour, Putin branded Trump's involvement 'groundless'.
"This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran," he declared.
Putin went on to brand the most recent strike 'unjustified', adding that his country would 'make efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people'.
Speaking directly to his Iranian counterpart, Putin went on to claim: "For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people.
"I am very glad that you are in Moscow today, this will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today's situation."
Following the latest update, Tyla spoke to counterterrorism specialist and high-profile security expert Will Geddes, who believes the fate of the Middle East now lies within the hands of the Russian leader.
"Russia has been trying to arbitrate, or mediate, between Israel and Iran in encouraging a ceasefire," he began. "This latest update has stuck a wedge into that.
"I think Putin is more sabre-rattling, but there's a good chance that they have already been supplying weapons to Iran, and they'll just continue to do so."
Whilst Geddes added that he can't see the Russian acting on his latest statement with any viable force anytime soon, he believes Putin's quick response to Trump's attack is already very telling.
"Putin isn't one to be bullied and I think he's keeping his position as neutral as possible," he added. "Whether that means any great implications really depends on what he does next."
Following Putin's promise, Araqchi told the Russian that Iran would be conducted legitimate self-defence against American threats going forward,.
"Russia is today on the right side of history and international law," he added.
