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Putin warns of dire consequences if Iran is attacked

MOSCOW, June 20 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned of dire consequences in the event force has been used against Iran hoping that such a dangerous scenario may be averted.
War with Iran will lead to catastrophic results including peoples' huge immigration, Putin said in a televised annual address to the Russian people.
Putin has argued that there are "no bases for imposing sanctions on Iran," criticizing Washington's threats to resort to force against the nation, "which will resort to all means to defend itself." The Russian leader's remarks came amid mounting tensions in the Gulf region, where Iran said its forces downed a pilotless American aircraft over its territorial waters. Washington confirmed the Iranian declaration but said the attack was unjustified as the drone was buzzing across international air space.

President Putin expressed readiness to hold dialogue with Washington for improving bilateral relations, discuss strategic security issues and disarmament.
Washington and Moscow are, theoretically, no longer spearheads of what has been long known as the cold war, however their ties have been strained with a long chain of issues, such as alleged Russian intervention in the latest US elections and Moscow's grip on neighboring countries such as the Crimea.
Putin has charged that some influential quarters in the US have been hindering President Donald Trump's efforts to improve the ties with his country.
He has denied prospects for a deal with Washington over Syria saying that Moscow does not "trade in its partners," clearly alluding to the Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad.
On Russia's armament policy, Putin has indicated at cutting spending on the military, affirming that Russia now ranks the seventh globally in military spending that reached this year USD 48 billion, compared to USD 720 billion in the US and USD 117 billion in China. (end) as.rk