The United States again flew B-52 bombers over the Middle East with Iran responding it should spend its military budget on healthcare for Americans rather than intimidation tactics.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday the “presence patrols” were flown “as a key part of CENTCOM’s defensive posture”.

The latest military manoeuvres come as security analysts have warned that US President Donald Trump could take military action against Iran in his final days in office.

In recent weeks, the US military has taken a series of steps designed to deter Iran while publicly emphasising that it is not planning – and has not been instructed – to take unprovoked action against Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the B-52 mission on Sunday, saying if the move was an attempt to intimidate Tehran, then the US would be better off spending its military billions “on your taxpayers’ health”.

“While we have not started a war in over 200 years, we don’t shy from crushing aggressors,” Zarif said on Twitter.

The latest American Middle East flyover by the aircraft capable of carrying up to 32,000kg (70,000 pounds) of weapons – including nuclear bombs – occurred a day after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tested long-range missiles and drones against land and sea targets in Iran’s fourth large-scale military show of force in two weeks.

It was the fifth B-52 operation in recent weeks and US Central Command said aircrews successfully completed the mission.

 

-Aljazeera