TEHRAN (AFP)–Tehran`s military on Wednesday urged US forces to steer clear of Iran`s borders with neighbouring Iraq and warned it would respond "to any invasion," the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran will "take down" any overflying aircraft which fails to respond to warnings, a high-ranking Iranian air force commander was quoted by Fars newsagency as saying.

The armed forces headquarters said in a statement carried by IRNA: "Recently US army helicopters have been spotted flying close to the borders of Iraq with the Islamic republic.

"Given the risk of their invasion... the Islamic republic`s defence forces will respond to any invasion."

The statement also urged US commanders in Iraq to keep their forces a secure distance from the borders to avoid any risks.

The unidentified air force commander said his country`s reaction to any incursion would go beyond warnings.

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