Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani shrugged off the US decision to send a new fleet of fighter jets to the Persian Gulf, stressing Iran is projecting power in the region and beyond without feeling any threat.

Asked by reporters about Washington�s announcement about sending an aircraft carrier with a new fleet of F-16 warplanes to the Strait of Hormuz, the defense minister said on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that Iran does not care about the US, which is pursuing its own affairs.

�Basically, the Islamic Republic has reached such a stage of might that nobody would be able to threaten it at all,� the defense minister underlined.

The general added that Iran has even moved past that level and started to play regional and international roles.

�We are pursuing that role-playing,� he stated.

In comments on Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry�s spokesperson slammed as �destabilizing and provocative� the US� decision to dispatch fighter jets to the Persian Gulf, stressing that Iran has the right to show a reaction in order to ensure maritime and aviation security in the region.

Highlighting Iran�s sensitivity to the �provocative and illegal� actions near its borders, the spokesman said, �Considering the control and capabilities of its armed forces in regard to navigation and aviation security in the Persian Gulf region, Iran reserves the right to make the necessary deterrent arrangements in compliance with international law�s rules and regulations, and will exercise its inalienable rights accordingly.�

By Tasnim