Iran says US stealth fighter deployment to UAE 'will damage regional security'

Washington, May 1 (ANI): Iran's Defense Minister has said that the deployment of US' most sophisticated stealth jet fighters to the United Arab Emirates will damage regional security.

According to a report, multiple stealth F-22 Raptors have been placed are in hangars at the UAE's Al Dafra Air Base, which is close to Iran's southern border.

General Ahmad Vahidi's comments were the first official reaction to reports of U.S. warplanes deployment, The Washington Post reports.

"Basing American F-22 in an Emirate's base is a harmful action and damages regional security," Iranian state-media quoted Vahidi, as saying.

According to the paper, Vahidi called the deployment "psychological warfare," saying that security should be provided by regional countries.

"A military presence by countries from outside the region, will bear no fruit except insecurity and complications," he added.

The aircraft deployment was first reported by the journal, Aviation Week.

The US Air Force had adamantly denied the jets' presence is a threat to Iran and stressed that the F-22s were simply taking part in a scheduled deployment. (ANI)