Across Asia: Iran

Teheran raps US 'phobia'

Iran accused the United States yesterday of seeking to stoke "Iran phobia" in the Middle East by deploying missile defence systems in the Gulf, and said Teheran enjoyed friendly ties with neighbouring states.

US officials said on Sunday that the United States has expanded land- and sea-based missile defense systems in and around the Gulf to counter what it sees as Iran's growing missile threat.