TEHRAN, Iran » The head of Iran’s navy says the country aims to put its warships in international waters off the U.S. coast "in the next few years."

The comments Tuesday from Admiral Habibollah Sayyari on state TV are part of Iran’s response to Washington’s beefed up naval presence in the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. Navy’s 5th fleet is based in Bahrain — across the gulf from Iran — and the U.S. plans maritime war games later this month.

Iran has made similar claims in the past that its ships could soon sail into international waters off the U.S. coast.

Tehran and Washington have been in odd over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions that the West suspects it has aimed at weapon. Iran denies the charge.