Counter-terrorism expert speaks out after Putin makes concerning vow about Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran

After news broke earlier today that Vladimir Putin has sided with Iran following a series of attacks by US President Donald Trump, a security expert has unpacked the 'threat' behind the Russian leader's promise.

During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi today (23 Jun), who travelled to the Russian capital Moscow to seek support, 72-year-old Putin branded Trump's bombing of bases in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on Sunday as 'groundless.'

"This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran," he continued.

Prior to the attack, Trump, 79, claimed to have set a two-week window to decide on possible intervention in Middle Eastern politics.

After suddenly acting over the weekend, however, it emerged that a sleeper-cell terror threat had reportedly been made by Iran - the 'activation' of spies and terrorists hiding and living unassuming lives in the US by their leaders, as per The Independent.

Trump bombed three Iranian nuclear bases (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Despite Trump's alleged rationale, Putin went on to brand his strike 'unjustified', adding that his country would 'make efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people'.

"For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people," he addressed his Iranian counter-part directly.

"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."

Speaking to Tyla since the latest news hit headlines, however, counterterrorism and security expert Geddes admitted he now believes the Russian leader holds the fate of the Middle East in his hands.

He began by explaining: "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."

The security boss added that Putin appears to be 'sabre-rattling' in meeting with the Iranian leader so soon following Trump's attack.

Putin met with the Iranian Foreign Minister today (ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"There's a good chance that Russia has already been supplying weapons to Iran," he continued, however. "And they'll just continue to do so."

Asked how his American 'frenemy' likely feels about Putin's latest declaration Geddes went on to explain: "Putin and Trump have a love-hate relationship, and 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 also addressed the social media-heavy speculation of 'World War III' breaking out in the coming months, especially now that two prominent world leaders have involved themselves.

"I wouldn't have thought World War III was a remote possibility unless Putin showed a very clear allegiance with Iran, which he now has," he began. "But that said, it's more likely to be localised warfare in the Middle East, between Iran and Israel.

"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."

Israel initially launched missiles at Iran (Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Asked what these terror threats could look like, the counterterrorism expert opened up on the 'sleeper-cells' that Trump allegedly feared in the first place.

"We're fully aware, as we have in this country (the UK), that there have been a lot of illegal immigrants entering the United States in recent decades, and a good number of these individuals (between 5,000 - 6,000) are Iranian-backed terrorists.

"I believe October 7 in Israel was actually a rehearsal of what they're planning to do in the United States. It's really quite scary."

He went on to explain: "The new threat is a mixture of marauding terrorists - terrorists on the move - and suicide terrorists. There are people that have been trained in Afghanistan that will come over to put these plans into action.

"The scary thing is, where Al Qaida and Islamic State used to be very separate terrorist groups, now we're seeing a join up between many groups, including Hammas, Hezbollah.

"These are all falling under a banner called the Muslim Army, and a huge proportion of this has been financed or resourced by Iran, and these threats would be deemed as justified retaliation for the bombings and a clear declaration of war with the USA."