A White House official noted that “bilaterally we’re talking with nations across the region about air defence capabilities specifically and what we can do to assist with their defence and then, exploring the idea of being able to kind of integrate all those air defenses together”. “There really is effective coverage to deal with Iran”, he added. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson described the U.S. goal as “Iranophobia and division among the countries in the region”, while a website close to Iran’s Supreme National Security council warned: “Creation of joint defense pact in the region by the U.S. with participation and hidden management of Zionists [ie, Israel] is a threatening act. If the implementation of such plans threatens security of Iran in any way, it will face initial decisive response to the nearest and most accessible targets”.