AFP: The United States said Monday that Iran’s unveiling of new assault boats and an aerial drone highlights US concerns about the Islamic republic’s growing military capabilities.
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States said Monday that Iran’s unveiling of new assault boats and an aerial drone highlights US concerns about the Islamic republic’s growing military capabilities.
Iran began mass-producing two high-speed variants of missile-launching assault boats on Monday, a day after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad revealed a home-built bomber drone.
“This is… something that is of concern to us and… concern to Iran’s neighbors,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.
He said that while every country had the right to provide for its self defense, the United States “take into account… systems that can potentially… threaten particular countries or peace and stability in the region.”
Faced with “the growth Iran’s capabilities over a number of years, we’ve stepped up our military cooperation with other countries in the region,” Crowley said.
“This is one of the reasons why… we believe that if Iran continues on the path that it’s on… (it) might find itself less secure because you’ll have countries in the region that join together to offset Iran’s growing capabilities.”
