Trump approves additional deployment to Gulf, CNN

WASHINGTON, 24 May. - (ANA) - U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of "additional military resources" to the Gulf, a senior administration official told CNN on Friday, amid a simmering crisis between Tehran and Washington and ahead of next week's emergency Arab League meeting called by Saudi Arabia over the region's tensions.

According to the report, the deployment approved by Trump includes Patriot missile batteries, reconnaissance aircraft and forces. The White House did not respond to CNN's request for an official comment, but the media outlet said an official announcement is expected as early as Friday.

The report also quotes two U.S. officials saying the administration considers expediting arms sales to Saudi Arabia, using regulations already in place, as part of Washington's efforts to counter Iran.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani said on Thursday his country will not surrender to U.S. pressure and will not abandon its goals even if it is bombed, stepping up the war of words between the Islamic Republic and the United States.

Earlier on Thursday, Iran's top military chief said the standoff between Tehran and Washington was a "clash of wills", warning that any enemy "adventurism" would meet a crushing response, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Tensions have ratcheted up recently in the Mideast as the White House earlier this month sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the region over a still-unexplained threat it perceived from Iran. And on Thursday, the Pentagon outlined proposals to the White House to send military reinforcements to the Middle East to beef up defenses against Iran.  - (ANA) -

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