U.S. urges N.Korea to avoid aggravating tensions

WASHINGTON, July 4 (Reuters) - The United States urged North Korea on Saturday not to "aggravate tensions" but did not confirm whether Pyongyang had launched a series of missiles.

"We are aware of possible missile launches by North Korea and are closely monitoring North Korea's activities and intentions," said U.S. State Department spokesman Karl Duckworth. "North Korea should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearization talks."

North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles Saturday, South Korea's Defense Ministry said, in an act of defiance that further raised regional tensions already high because of Pyongyang's nuclear test in May. (Editing by Bill Trott)