Iran Condemns US B-52 Deployment as ‘Destabilizing’

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the United States on Monday, calling its recent deployment of B-52 bombers in the region a “destabilizing presence.” Baghaei stated that Iran has always viewed the American presence in the region as destabilizing and asserted that it would not weaken Iran’s determination to protect itself.

The US military announced on Saturday that it had deployed B-52 bombers to the Middle East in response to Iran’s vow to retaliate against Israeli strikes on Iranian military sites on October 26. Those strikes by Israel were in response to an October 1 missile attack from Iran, which Iran carried out in retaliation for the deaths of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander. These attacks reportedly led to the deaths of at least four Iranian soldiers and caused minor damage to radar systems, with one civilian also reported killed by Iranian media.

Baghaei stated that Iran’s response to the strikes would be firm and assured. He also expressed Iran’s support for initiatives aimed at achieving a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, where Iran-backed groups Hamas and Hezbollah are engaged in conflict with Israel.

Israel claimed its October 26 strikes aimed to target Iran’s defense and missile production capabilities, although Iranian officials stated that missile production was unaffected. Additionally, President Masoud Pezeshkian remarked that Iran’s missile capabilities act as a deterrent against potential attacks from Israel.

Addressing Iran’s stance on nuclear policy, Baghaei reaffirmed that the country’s official position against nuclear weapons remains unchanged. Referring to recent statements by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he emphasized that Iran would be fully equipped to defend itself if necessary.