Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai has strongly criticized the deployment of US B-52 bombers in the region, calling it a "destabilizing presence," according to a report in the Times of Israel on Monday (November 4).
In response to a question about the deployment of the B-52 bombers, Ismail Baghai said, "We always believe that the American presence in the region is a destabilizing presence. However, this US aircraft will not hinder our strong morale to defend ourselves."
Iran's response to Israel, which is at war with the Iranian-backed armed groups Hamas and Hezbollah, will be "determined and firm," Baghai said, adding that "Iran supports all initiatives and efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon."
Citing a recent speech by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a news conference, Baghai said the Islamic Republic would be "equipped with everything necessary for self-defense."
Earlier, the US military announced the deployment of the B-52 bombers on Saturday (November 2). They said the B-52 bombers in the Middle East come after Iran recently announced it would retaliate for Israeli attacks on its military installations. Their decision to deploy is a warning to Iran.
Earlier (October 1), Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israeli military and intelligence bases in response to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC General Abbas Neelforoushan.
In response to that attack, Israel claimed to have targeted military installations in Iran on Saturday (October 26). The Israeli military said it was carrying out the strikes in response to continued attacks by Iran and its allies.