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America is trying to create 'Iran phobia', says Iran's defence minister

America is trying to create 'Iran phobia', says Iran's defence minister

Amir Hatami

The United States is trying to create "Iran phobia", Iran’s defence minister Amir Hatami said on Friday, news agency Reuters reported quotingIranian Labour News Agency (ILNA).

"Very complicated and suspicious conditions exist in the region," he was quoted as saying. "It seems that all of this is in line with an overall policy for creating Iran phobia and creating a consensus against the Islamic Republic."

Iran defence minister's comment comes amid ongoing tension between Iran and the US after a US surveillance drone was shot down by Iran's Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region on Thursday.

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Watch: Iran's Guards shoot down US "spy" drone in Hormozgan province

Meanwhile, a top Democrat in the US Senate said on Thursday he was worried that President Donald Trump may "bumble" into a war with Iran and he said there needed to be an open debate and a congressional decision on funding before any military operation was launched.

"I told the president that these conflicts have a way of escalating," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters after meeting with top administration officials at the White House.

"The president may not intend to go to war here, but we're worried that he and the administration may bumble into a war."

(With inputs from Reuters)