Iran raises stakes in Persian Gulf

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TEHRAN, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Any act of aggression on the part of the U.S. military in the Persian Gulf would be met with the appropriate response, an Iranian navy commander said.

The U.S. military has deployed resources to the Persian Gulf to protect shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Missile defense systems for the region and for Eastern Europe are planned by the United States as an Iranian deterrence.

Iranian navy Rear Adm. Ali Fadavi said the lives of U.S. troops are at risk should the military act out in the region.

"Should a (single) bullet fly in the Persian Gulf, it will definitely be to the detriment of the United States and its allies," he was quoted by Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying.

Navy officials said this week that U.S. military activity in the Persian Gulf was under the close observation by Iranian intelligence services.

The Iranian military said it scheduled two military drills featuring airborne and armored units before the end of the Iranian calendar year, which ends mid-March.

An armored maneuver could take place in southeastern Iran while the venue for the second drill was under consideration.