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Washington (AFP): The US Defense Department declined to confirm Tuesday a report it will increase its naval force in the Gulf region next year. CBS television reported Monday, citing anonymous sources, that the Pentagon is planning a major deployment of naval forces to the Gulf in 2007 in response to what the US considers acts of provocation by Iran.
The Pentagon would not confirm the report, however.
“We have very robust military and it includes a very capable navy that is deployed throughout the world,” Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said Tuesday.
“We move ships where we believe we need to have ships. We don't talk about those movements, we don't talk about those plans and we don't talk about those contingencies.”
He added that the US maintains a “routine presence” in the region, like positioning an aircraft carrier there.
CBS said the US has no plans to attack Iran but wants to discourage its leaders from stirring up troubles in neighboring states.
