Moscow, June 21 (RHC)-- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin warns that a U.S. military attack against Iran would be catastrophic as tensions mount between Washington and Tehran.  Speaking on Thursday during a televised call-in show, Putin said potential U.S. military action against Iran would be a “catastrophe for the region as a minimum.”  He added that it would trigger an escalation of hostilities with unpredictable results.

The United States has been escalating tensions with Iran under President Donald Trump.  Leading a signature policy of  “maximum pressure,” the U.S. quit a UN-ratified nuclear agreement with Iran and six world powers.  It then proceeded to restore the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal.

Putin, however, reminded that Tehran was in full compliance with the agreement, something that has been verified by the UN nuclear agency -- the International Atomic Energy Agency -- in 15 reports.  The Russian head of state also called the sanctions against Iran “unreasonable.”

Washington has, in addition, sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber task force, an amphibious assault ship and nearly 1,500 more military forces to the region.