US-Iran tensions: Tehran says American military buildup ‘does not scare’ it

Iran has dismissed the United States’ growing military presence in the Middle East, saying Washington’s deployments pose no threat to Tehran as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.

“Their military deployment in the region does not scare us,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, adding that Iran would not abandon its uranium enrichment programme — a central demand of the United States in ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Strains between Tehran and Washington have intensified in recent months, particularly after US President Donald Trump openly called for a change in Iran’s leadership amid widespread domestic unrest in the country.

Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests triggered by soaring inflation and a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial. According to rights groups, more than 3,400 people have been killed since the demonstrations began.

The Iranian government has responded with a sweeping crackdown, using force to disperse protests and detaining thousands of citizens. Authorities say the measures are necessary to maintain stability, while critics and human rights organisations accuse the government of widespread abuses.

The latest exchange underscores the deepening standoff between the two longtime adversaries, with Iran maintaining a defiant stance even as the US reinforces its military posture in the region.