India, June 21 -- As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies and fears of a broader war is on the rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced serious concern over the possibility of World War III.

When asked whether the world was inching toward WW3, the Russian leader didn't mince words: "It is disturbing. I am speaking without any irony, without any jokes," reported Reuters.

Vladimir Putin was addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, when he acknowledged the growing risk of international conflict, warning that the current global trajectory was deeply troubling. Follow Iran Israel war live updates.

"Of course, there is a lot of conflict potential, it is growing, and it is right under our noses, and it aff...