Washington, Jan 4 (ANI): The United States would not be deterred by Iran's blunt warning to keep an American carrier out of the Persian Gulf, a senior military official has said.
US Commander Bill Speaks said that the Navy will 'certainly not disrupt any of its planned movements based on this latest threat.
The official added that Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz or act outside recognized international law is 'further evidence that Iran continues to operate outside the norms of most nations.'
"The deployment of US military assets in the Persian Gulf region will continue as it has for decades," Fox News quoted Speaks, as saying.
The response came after Iranian Army Chief Ataollah Salehi's warned on Tuesday that "the enemy's carrier" not be allowed to return through the Gulf passage.
"I advise, recommend and warn them (the Americans) over the return of this carrier to the Persian Gulf because we are not in the habit of warning more than once," Iranian media quoted Salehi, as saying.
Meanwhile, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the threat reeks of desperation from an illegitimate leadership that is trying to divert attention from its economic woes and declining currency, both the result of withering international sanctions.
"I think it reflects the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness," Carney said of the warning.
"It's confirmation that Tehran is under increasing pressure for its continued failures to live up to its international obligation. This is simply a measure of the impact that sanctions have been having on Iran," he added. (ANI)
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