Counter-terrorism expert addresses possibility of World War III following Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran

Following Vladimir Putin's promise to side with Iran after three of the country's nuclear bases were bombed by US president Donald Trump this weekend, a high-profile security has had his say on whether World War III is a viable possibility.

The Russian leader branded Trump's attacks on Iran - which came a week after Israel began firing missiles at the Middle Eastern country - both 'groundless' and 'an absolutely unprovoked aggression' during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow today (23 Jun).

It later emerged that 79-year-old Trump had acted ahead of the two-week decision window he set out last week, after it was revealed that a sleeper-cell terror threat had reportedly been made by Iran.

This threat describes the 'activation' of spies and terrorists hiding and living unassuming lives in the US by their leaders, as per The Independent.

Putin met with Iran's Foreign Minister earlier today (ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Continuing to slam the Republican's 'total obliteration' of sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, Putin went on to describe them as 'unjustified', adding that his country would 'make efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people'.

He also addressed his Iranian counterpart directly, telling Araghchi: "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."

In response, Araghchi told Putin that his country would be conducted legitimate self-defence against American threats going forward, adding: "Russia is today on the right side of history and international law."

Now, a counterterrorism professional has chimed in on conversations regarding the potential for the Middle Eastern crisis to develop into full-fledged world warfare.

Trump reportedly reacted to an Iranian super-cell threat (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Beginning with a discussion on Putin's latest announcement, security expert Will Geddes told Tyla this week that Trump will be far from pleased by the latest news, given his and Putin's 'love-hate relationship'.

"The former siding with Iran is definitely not going to put him in Trump's favour. Putin would be crossing a line in Trump's eyes," Geddes said. "Russia has been trying to arbitrate, or mediate, between Israel and Iran in encouraging a ceasefire.

"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."

Arguably a scarier notion, however, is that the security expert claimed he 'wouldn't have thought World War III was a remote possibility' 'unless Putin showed a very clear allegiance with Iran' - which he now has.

Israel fired missiles at Iran last week (Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"But that said, it's more likely to be localised warfare in the Middle East, between Iran and Israel," he went on to offer as reassurance.

"I don't see it spilling out into a broader attack. In terms of a broader attack, I believe we're more likely to see terror-related incidents carried out across the US and Europe."

Bringing the conversation back to the near future of the Middle East, Geddes added of the Russian leader: "Putin isn't one to be bullied and I think he's keeping his position as neutral as possible.

"Whether that means any great implications really depends on what he does next."