Pentagon warns of 'potential Iranian aggression'

WASHINGTON

Washington sees indications that Iran could carry out an attack on U.S. forces or interests in Middle East, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John Rood said the U.S. remains concerned about a potential Iranian aggression, according to The Hill website.

"We also continue to see indications ... potential Iranian aggression could occur," Rood was quoted as telling reporters in Washington.

"We’ve sent very clear and blunt signals to the Iranian government about the potential consequences of aggression," said Rood.

Tensions have flared between Washington and Tehran when Trump chose in May 2018 to unilaterally remove the U.S. from a nuclear pact world powers struck with Iran that provided the Islamic Republic with billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for unprecedented curbs on its nuclear program.

Iran downed a U.S. drone in June that it says violated its airspace, with the Trump administration saying it remained above international waters.

The U.S. has blamed Iran for coordinating drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil production facilities in September.