Iran Reserves Right to Counter ‘Israeli’ Presence in US-Led Coalition in Gulf’ – Foreign Ministry

By Staff, Agencies

Iran said it considers possible ‘Israeli’ presence in a US-led coalition in the Gulf as a clear threat to its national security, and reserves the right to counter it.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sayyed Abbas Mousavi on Friday referred to the “illegitimate existence” of the ‘Israeli’ regime in the Middle East as a source of insecurity and instability.

Iran, Mousavi said, considers ‘Israel’s’ possible presence in a US-led mission in the Gulf as a “clear threat” to its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The presence is a crisis-provoking and destabilizing element in the Gulf, Mousavi said.

"Within the framework of the country's deterrence and defensive policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory," he noted.

"The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move," the spokesman added.

The remarks came after the Zionist regime said it will join what the US calls an effort to boost security of navigation in the Gulf.

Zionist Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on August 7 that the occupation regime is part of the US-led coalition to “protect the security of the Persian Gulf”.

Katz claimed ‘Israel’ was determined to stop “Iranian entrenchment” in the Middle East region and strengthen Tel Aviv’s relationship with Gulf countries, Ynet reported.

In his Friday remarks, Mousavi said the Islamic Republic believes the US-led coalition is tension-provoking in nature.

"Iran believes the presence of ultra-regional forces in the Gulf under any name and title will not only fail to help reinforce the region's security, but will further prepare the grounds for tension and crisis in the sensitive Persian Gulf region," he added.

He said Iran is opposed to the formation of such coalitions and considers it as a tension-creating and deceitful move.

Mousavi also referred to the organizers, founders, and members of such a coalition as the culprits behind possible tensions and crises that would emanate from such a move.