Putin Warns Consequences of Iran War Could Be as Severe as COVID-19 Pandemic

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that it is difficult to predict the consequences of the conflict raging in the Middle East region, particularly between the United States (US) and Israel with Iran.

Nevertheless, as reported by Reuters on Friday (27/3/2026), Putin also said that some parties have compared the potential impact of a US-Israel war against Iran to the COVID-19 pandemic that crippled the world about six years ago.

According to the Russian President, the consequences of a US-Israel war against Iran are estimated to be as serious as the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ongoing Middle East conflict, Putin said, has caused significant damage to international logistics, production, and supply chains, while also placing immense pressure on hydrocarbon, metal, and fertiliser companies.

“The consequences of the conflict in the Middle East are still difficult to predict accurately,” Putin stated while speaking to business leaders in Moscow, the Russian capital.

“In my opinion, those involved in the conflict cannot predict anything themselves, but for us, it is even more difficult,” he added.

“However, there are already estimates that its consequences could be compared to the coronavirus epidemic,” Putin said in his statement.

“Let me remind you that it dramatically slowed development in all regions and continents without exception,” he continued.

The Middle East region has heated up since the US and Israel launched a large-scale joint attack against Iran on 28 February. A total of at least 1,340 people have been killed as a result of the US-Israel attacks in various regions of Iran, including the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran retaliated with waves of missile and drone attacks on targets in Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Iran’s retaliatory attacks triggered damage and injuries in Israel and the Gulf countries. At least 13 US troops in the Gulf countries were killed as a result of the waves of Iranian retaliatory attacks. Another 290 US troops were injured, with 10 of them sustaining serious injuries.

Not only that, the Strait of Hormuz, which is a strategic waterway for global energy supplies, has also been affected by the ongoing war. Crossing activities in the Strait of Hormuz have been effectively restricted since early March.

This has triggered global disruptions that increase shipping costs and push global oil prices higher.