[ad_1]
The exercises took place after the United States sent an aircraft carrier combat group to the region last month. US officials have threatened to lead the fleet in the Persian Gulf, saying its deployment was a response to an alleged Iranian threat to Washington's interests in the region. The US Air Force said that the USS Abraham Lincoln, several fighter planes and helicopters, as well as a strategic bomber B-52 had performed the exercise.
The mission took place in the sea of Oman.
In a statement, the force added that the "simulated strike operations" were aided by B-52, a nuclear-capable bomber.
Addressing a press conference Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington was still willing to speak with Iran "without preconditions".
However, Iran claimed that the offer was just a pun.
READ MORE: Iran orders US to "show respect"
Mr. Pompeo said: "We are ready to engage in a conversation without preconditions.
"We are ready to sit down with them.
"The US effort to fundamentally reverse the evil activity of this Islamic republic, this revolutionary force, will continue."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran does not pay attention to puns and the expression of a hidden agenda in new forms."
Iranian President Hbadan Rouhani said on Saturday that Iran would be willing to hold talks if Washington showed respect, but added that Tehran would not be under any pressure.
Mr Trump said last Monday that he hoped Iran would come to the negotiating table.
However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Tehran would not negotiate with Washington even after Rouhani announced that negotiations would be possible if sanctions were lifted.
At the same time, a quarterly report from the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) suggests Iran is meeting the main restrictions of its 2015 nuclear deal.
Source link
