SOCHI. June 20 (Interfax) - Moscow regrets the Pentagon's decision to send Patriot missile systems, fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft to the Middle East, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
"We can only regret that there are no signs of departure from the policy of fueling confrontation, that the U.S. is engaged in muscle-flexing and demonstrating its determination to exert pressure on Iran, the country which has strictly honored its obligations under the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] over the past few years and still technically remains in compliance with this agreement," Ryabkov told reporters in Sochi on Thursday when commenting on Washington's relevant statement.
The Pentagon announced earlier that as part of plans to deploy an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East, the U.S. military command would also send Patriot missile systems, "manned and unmanned" surveillance aircraft and fighter jets to the region.
The Pentagon also stressed that it is not seeking a conflict with Iran but will stand ready to defend U.S. interests in the Middle East.