"We have built birds without passengers (drones) that can carry out suicide operations on the US Navy, at any depth if necessary, to make them leave the region in disgrace," said Ali Shoushtari, deputy commander of the Guards' land forces.

Warning about a "defeat for the enemy", Shoushtari said: "Americans know that if they confront the Islamic system, they wil not be secure in the region or at home."

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday vowed to hit back at US interests worldwide if it attacked the Islamic republic to thwart its nuclear programme.

In response, the White House said it has no plans to invade Iran, and downplayed the significance of reinforcing the US military presence in the Gulf region.

Iranian leaders have repeatedly said the country's armed forces are ready for any eventuality in the current standoff with the West over its nuclear activities.

The United States accuses Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon. Tehran vehemently denies the charges, insisting its atomic programme is peaceful in nature.

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