Putin ‘biting his nails’ as US on brink of all out war with ‘key ally’ | World | News

Vladimir Putin will be « biting his nails » amid the US strikes on Iran, a security expert says. Anthony Glees, Emeritus Professor at The University of Buckingham, described the attacks as « a moment of extreme peril » for countries, including the UK, but suggested Iran’s allies, Russia’s President Putin and China’s President Xi Jinping, would stay out of the conflict « for the time being ».

He told the Daily Express: « But neither leader will like the US-Israel attack and if the situation deteriorates during today I would expect Xi in particular to demand an end to hostilities. Iran is a key ally of Putin. He’ll be biting his nails right now. If the ayatollahs go, he’ll lose a vital military partner. »

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US and Israeli forces carried out a series of strikes on Tehran and other cities on Saturday morning, claiming they were conducting a « pre-emptive » action and urging Iranians to overthrow the regime.

President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the US had begun « major combat operations » in Iran.

He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the US.

Iran responded to the strikes by launching a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel. It then appeared to target US military installations in Kuwait and Qatar as explosions could be heard.

Professor Glees said: « If Iran attacks the armada or US bases in the Gulf, we would expect an all out war. My great fear would be that this could quickly degenerate into another Iraq war. »

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Putin condemned strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025, describing them as « absolutely unprovoked aggression ». He stopped short of singling the US out for those attacks, which were carried out with Israel.

Moscow didn’t publicly offer military help in the wake of last summer’s strikes, while Putin appeared to downplay Russia‘s obligations under a strategic deal agreed between the Russians and Iranians.

Thinktank, RUSI, said earlier in February that Putin cannot afford to become embroiled in another war. Its analysts said Russia « must walk a fine line » between doing the minimum to support Iran and making sure the Russians remain relevant in the region.

Mr Trump earlier this month said he and President Xi discussed Iran. The call came amid US efforts to isolate the Islamic Republic.

During June’s attacks on Iran, Xi said escalation wasn’t in the « common interest » of the international community and that China opposed infringing the sovereignty and security of other countries.

Israel said of the latest attacks on Iran that they were carried out as a « broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime ».

Tel Aviv said the operation had been planned for months between the Israeli and US militaries.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said on Saturday it had launched its « first wave » of drones and missiles targeting Israel, suggesting it planned further attacks.

Mr Trump on Friday had begun to voice frustration and impatience over the lack of satisfactory progress in negotiations to stop Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.

He told reporters at the White House yesterday: « I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have… They cannot have nuclear weapons. »

The president also said before the attack that there was a risk of a prolonged conflict with Iran.