Russia accuses US of escalating tensions in Middle East

MOSCOW

Russia slammed on Thursday the U.S. decision to send additional Patriot missile systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to the Middle East.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters in Sochi that this move meant escalation of the situation in the region.

"This is a reflection of the line on conscious escalation," Ryabkov said.

"We have no doubt that the political and military leadership of the United States does not stop at any action in order to complicate the situation to the maximum and, most importantly, to increase pressure on Iran," he said.

Ryabkov called on to strengthen the security measures in the Persian Gulf region.

The region may be plunged into a new conflict and it would be "absolutely unacceptable, given the severity of the consequences of such a development," he warned.

He said: "We have taken an interest in the recent proposal of the Iranian foreign minister, Mr. [Javad] Zarif, to conclude a non-aggression pact between the Gulf countries.

"This is a productive idea," he said.

Tensions are high between the U.S. and Iran since Washington unilaterally withdrew last year from a nuclear pact between the Islamic Republic and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.

President Donald Trump's administration has pursued a number of actions meant to scuttle the agreement, including the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil.

In response, Tehran vowed to continue exporting oil despite the U.S. sanctions and threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz if it is prevented from using the strategic waterway.