Iran Urges US, Allies to Stop ‘False Flag Ops’ in Middle East

By Staff, Agencies 

Iran has rejected as "unfounded" US claims that it is responsible for the recent attacks on two oil tankers in the Sea of Oman, warning of "another Iranophobic campaign" being waged by Washington and its allies.

"The inflammatory remarks by the US representative against Iran at the UN Security Council on 13 June 2019 was another Iranophobic campaign. Iran categorically rejects the US' unfounded claim with regard to 13 June oil tanker incidents and condemns it in the strongest possible terms," said the Iranian mission to the UN in a statement on Thursday.

The statement further added: "Neither fabrications and disinformation campaigns nor shamelessly blaming others can change the realities. The US and its regional allies must stop warmongering and put an end to mischievous plots as well as false flag operations in the region. Warning, once again, about all of the US coercion, intimidation, and malign behavior, Iran expresses concern over suspicious incidents for the oil tankers that occurred today.”

Referring to Washington's sanctions against Tehran following the former's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement with world powers, the statement said, "The US economic war and terrorism against the Iranian people as well as its massive military presence in the region have been and continue to be the main sources of insecurity and instability in the wider Persian Gulf region and the most significant threat to its peace and security."

The statement also called on "the international community to live up to its responsibilities in preventing the reckless and dangerous policies and practices of the US and its regional allies in heightening the tensions in the region."

It added that the recent developments in the region "serve as proof of the urgency" of engaging in "dialogue based on mutual respect" between  "all regional countries... based on mutual respect, inclusivity and basic principles of international law."

"Reiterating its longstanding position on the need for promoting peace and security in the broader Persian Gulf region, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to play an active and constructive role in ensuring the security of strategic maritime passages as well as promoting peace, stability and security in the region," the statement said in conclusion.

In a series of tweets on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the US allegations against Iran over the attacks on oil tankers in the Sea of Oman were part of "sabotage diplomacy" adopted by the "B Team," which he uses to refer to US National Security Adviser John Bolton, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.