	u s reasserts plans for deterrent role in gulf the united states responded to an apparent escalation of iranian rhetoric with continued assurances that its expanded military force in the gulf would play purely a deterrent role i can only emphasize that our role there is deterrent that we re going to be assuring safety for american ping and that that ping is not related to the war itself state department spokesman charles redman told reporters he was asked about iranian claims that the united states was moving towards the brink of armed conflict with iran tehran radio quoted defence spokesman ali akbar hashemi rafsanjani telling a visiting nicaraguan delegation yesterday at the moment the united states is moving towards the brink of an armed encounter with us we are not concerned about this and believe that the u s presence in the war will make our nation even more serious we are determined to stand firm and will certainly win the united states disclosed last week it was beefing up its gulf fleet from seven to wars and also sending the refurbished battle missouri to patrol just outside the strategic strait of hormuz entrance to the gulf the buildup ties in with u s plans to escort kuwaiti oil tankers which have been re registered to fly the american flag and gain naval protection against iranian attacks asked about the iranian rhetoric white house spokesman marlin fitzwater said we won t have any comment or response to the iranian statements our position has been made clear about the status of events in the gulf we want an end to the war with no winners and no losers and any activities or statements that tend to prolong the war or increase hostilities are not helpful or welcome redman said he could not independently confirm reports that iran has offered to halt attacks on gulf ping reuter 
