Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the United States on Monday for its deployment of B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers in the Middle East, calling it a “destabilizing presence” in the region. “We have always believed that the presence of America in the region is a destabilizing presence,” Baghaei said during a news conference and claimed that the bombers’ deployment won’t affect Iran’s “resolve to defend itself.” Pentagon announced the B-52 bombers’ deployment last Friday, warning that the US will take “measures” to defend its people “should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region.” A day later, the US also warned Iran that it will not be able to contain Israel if Iran decides to carry out another retaliatory attack.