US Defense Secretary  James Mattis said the US cannot afford to ignore destabilizing moves by Iran, but has no plans to respond by increasing American military forces in the Middle East, according to Sky News.

Mattis spoke at a joint news conference in Tokyo with his Japanese counterpart, Tomomi Inada.

Mattis was asked about the White House's statement this week that it was putting Iran "on notice."

Mattis held a series of high-level meetings in Seoul and Tokyo this week on his first overseas trip as Pentagon chief. He was returning to Washington Saturday.

Source: MENA