Iran has criticized Turkey's decision to deploy an early warning radar system as part of a NATO missile defense program, saying the move would increase tensions in the region.

State-run media on Thursday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast saying Iran expects its neighbors to not promote policies that lead to “complicated consequences.”

The 28-member NATO alliance endorsed the anti-missile system to protect Europe against Iranian ballistic missiles during a summit in Portugal last year.

Turkish military officials said last week that technical negotiations for deploying the system in Turkey have reached the final stages.