Ads by Google Ads by Google

Pentagon: US Navy will remain in Persian Gulf

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon on Tuesday answered an Iranian warning to keep U.S. aircraft carriers out of the Persian Gulf by declaring that American warships will continue regularly scheduled deployments to the strategic waterway.George Little, the Pentagon press secretary, said the Navy operates in the Gulf in accordance with international law and to maintain \a constant state of high vigilance\ to ensure the flow of sea commerce.Earlier Tuesday, Iran's army chief warned an American aircraft carrier not to return to the Gulf. Iran also has warned it could block one of the world's key oil tanker sea lanes in response to economic pressures.White House press secretary Jay Carney dismissed Iran's warnings as signs of Tehran's weakness and of the international isolation it has faced for pursuing a nuclear program.\It's the latest round of Iranian threats and is confirmation that Tehran is under increasing pressure for its continued failure to live up to its international obligations