Iran Press/ Iran news: In an interview with one of China's most popular TV channels – Phoenix TV - which was broadcast on Friday night, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, recent arrival of a US aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, has increased tensions in the region.
According to Iran Press, Zarif said every time America steps up its military presence in the region, regional countries are endangered.
He also warned that Iran's hands are not tied in dealing with such a situation, saying Iran is a powerful country that can protect its own interests.
The USS John C. Stennis sailed into the Persian Gulf on Friday, December 21, ahead of the final stage of the IRGC's 12th 'Great Prophet' military exercises which were held in the waters of the Persian Gulf and in the Island of Qeshm.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Iranian foreign minister noted that US president Donald Trump approach will never bring the Iranians to the negotiating table.
By applying economic and diplomatic pressure, US President Donald Trump hopes to force Tehran to negotiate a new deal with his administration.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out negotiations with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
"Even if we ever - impossible as it is - negotiated with the US, it would never ever be with the current US administration," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on August, 13.
Washington reimposed sanctions in August and November after pulling out of the 2015 international deal. The US is moving to hit Iran economically with what US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin calls a "maximum pressure" campaign against the country's energy and banking sectors.
But Iranian officials, have dismissed US sanctions and said Tehran will never submit to US pressure. 101/211
