TEHRAN, May 13 (UPI) — A U.S.-led military confrontation against Iran is an ill-advised move, said the Iranian defense minister in the wake of military war games.
Iran wrapped up an 8-day war games exercise in the Strait of Hormuz and the northern Arabian Sea this week. Iranian military forces highlighted a series of weapons, including a range of medium-range missiles and newly equipped fighter jets, during the maneuvers.
Iran views the Strait of Hormuz is a key strategic asset, threatening to choke off the key oil transit route if provoked.
Iranian forces Monday claimed to have chased a U.S. reconnaissance drone out of the area of the war game drills.
Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi said U.S. military forces know better to provoke Iran, state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.
“The United States has enough common sense to understand the dire consequences of threatening the Islamic republic with military confrontation,” he said.
Vahidi added that U.S. aggression against the Islamic Republic was “illegal” and reflected the “disoriented state of mind” prevailing in Washington.
