As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that a war between the two countries would be disastrous.
During an annual question and answer program Thursday, the Russian leader warned that the Iranian regime is willing to go to “extremes” to defend itself.
“It would be a catastrophe, for the region at the very minimum, because it will lead to an increase of violence, and potential increase in refugees from the region,” Putin said. “But also, for those who would attempt it, it could have possibly sad consequences.”
The comments come the same day Iran shot down a $130 million U.S. drone over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic choke point connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. The U.S. claims the drone was hit while flying over international waters, but Iran contends that it had entered its airspace.
The downing is a further escalation from Iran and comes amid a financial pressure campaign by the U.S. targeting multiple Iranian industries with sanctions.
The U.S. announced Monday that it was sending an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East after a pair of oil tankers were attacked earlier this month in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. blamed Iran for the attack. Last month, four other tankers were targeted by Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the time that the attack was an attempt to raise global oil prices.
In addition to the troop additions, the U.S. recently deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East.
