Washington: The US has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and B-52 bombers to the highly sensitive Persian Gulf region to counter what Washington says is a threat from "Iran or its proxies" possibly targeting maritime traffic.
A notice issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that commercial aircraft flying over the Gulf face a potential risk of 'miscalculation or misidentification'.
The warning also came after the British retail banking company, Lloyd's, warned of increasing risks to maritime shipping in the region.
Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Saudi Arabia, last night approved Washington's request to deploy more military forces in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, media reported.
The approval came on the basis of bilateral agreements between Washington and Gulf countries.
The main objective of the move is to allow Washington and Gulf nations to work together to deter any aggression or military threat from Iran against its neighbours or US interests in the region, sources familiar with news said.
State media agency of Iran, IRNA quoted Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that he does not believe a war will break out in the region as Tehran does not want a conflict and no country has the "illusion it could confront Iran."
Relations have also been strained between Washington and Tehran recently after United States President Donald Trump issued a resolution to try to stop Iran's oil exports completely earlier this month.
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