OREANDA-NEWSThe United States deliberately aggravates the situation in the Persian Gulf, Washington is trying to maximally complicate the situation, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. "This is a reflection of the line on deliberately forcing the situation. We have no doubt that the US military and political leadership doesn't stop at any action in order to maximally complicate the situation and, most importantly, increase pressure on Iran," Ryabkov told reporters.

According to him, “this isn't at all in line with the previously adopted plan and our country's idea of correct actions in this region: to double the diplomatic and political efforts to stabilize the situation and reduce tensions and create prerequisites for the implementation of a number of ideas put forward by the Russian Federation, which supports the formation of in the Gulf region of the collective security system, strengthening relations between the countries of the same region, and other diplomatic activities, but not military buildup".

"And, of course, in order to preserve the chances of ensuring the future implementation of the UHVD, the prospects for which, taking into account what is happening, are becoming more and more vague", the deputy minister added.


On Monday, the US Defense Ministry reported that Washington was preparing to send additional forces to the Middle East in response to the "threat" from Iran, which, according to Washington, was involved in attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The head of the Pentagon, Patrick Shanahan, said that the United States would send an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East. According to him, these actions are not aimed at confrontation with Iran, but meet the security interests of the United States and allies.

On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Commander Rebecca Rebarici told the Russian media that a military force of 1,000 people sent by the United States to the Middle East would include a battalion with Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and a manned reconnaissance aircraft.