Iran warns over NATO's anti-missile radar in Turkey

Iran's Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi has criticized the pending deployment of a NATO early-warning radar system in Turkey, saying Tehran would not tolerate any aggression against its national interests. Vahidi said, in a statement carried by Tehran Times, that the West claims the radar system in Turkey is to confront Iranian missiles, but they should be aware that we will not tolerate any aggression against our national interests. Turkey, with NATO''s second biggest military, has become a bigger player in the Middle East emboldened by its booming economy and a more Islamic identity, seeking stronger ties with Muslim countries in the Middle East, like Iran. Vahidi warned Turkey over the radar system, which Ankara says is not against any specific country. "We regard the presence of America and the West as a troublesome and harmful presence for the Islamic countries," he said. Turkey has also sought stronger ties with Russia, which has said a NATO missile defense system could threaten its security if it develops the capability to down Russian nuclear missiles.