LOC22:22
19:22 GMT
Iran not targeted
WASHINGTON, April 30 (KUNA) -- The White House on Wednesday downplayed the
arrival of a second U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Gulf, saying it was
part of regularly scheduled military exercises and not aimed at Iran.
"They reinforce that the U.S. has an enduring commitment to the region and
to our allies, and we continue to protect our allies and interests wherever
necessary," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino during a White House
briefing.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday said the arrival of the USS
Abraham Lincoln off the coast of Iran was a "reminder" to Iran, but Pentagon
officials last week expressed publicly their concerns over Iranian activities
in Iraq that target U.S. troops.
Perino noted that Gates also said the United States was "currently
undertaking regularly scheduled military exercises in the Gulf, and these
exercises are not aimed at Iran".
Gates also said he does not anticipate the U.S. carriers would be in the
Gulf very long, Perino noted. (end)
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