Vladimir Putin’s hard-line ally Dmitry Medvedev has warned that the “biggest war” in the Middle East is coming, as Iran announced it would close the Strait of Hormuz despite threats from Donald Trump. The former Russian president claimed the US president made a “gross” strategic mistake in confronting Iran.
He predicted that Gulf states could respond to the crisis by seeking “nuclear shields” of their own, which would dramatically increase the risk of widespread conflict. Medvedev warned: “Unfortunately, the likelihood of a nuclear conflict there has increased as a result of this unprovoked, extremely dangerous war started by the United States.”
Now the security official blames the US for an “unprovoked, extremely dangerous war”, accusing Washington and Israel of behaving like “bulls in a China shop” and pushing the region towards disaster.
He added: “Perhaps the biggest war in the Middle East may yet be on the horizon,” said a person seen issuing the warning on Putin’s behalf. “And then the Middle East will become a center of long-term … instability, which could continue there for centuries.”
Medvedev said those with money in the Middle East or engaged in oil supplies “need to think very seriously about what to do next”.
He added: “The consequences will be fatal for all participants because involvement in such a ground operation at a considerable distance from the same United States threatens to lead to almost the same results as happened in Vietnam, when Washington got involved in a foreign country located a thousand miles away, and could not find any civilized way out of this conflict for 10 years.”
Now the US faces “a very difficult situation here”, he said, “especially since Iran has repeatedly said that in this case, its hands will be open”.
It comes as the Strait of Hormuz has been closed by Iran, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warning of “harsh measures” against anyone trying to travel through it.
Shipping through any corridor or to any destination “to and from the ports of allies and supporters of Israeli-American enemies is prohibited,” he said.
Three container ships from different countries were forced to turn back following the warning.
