Zarif: Extra-regional Presence in Gulf Source of Insecurity

By Staff, Agencies 

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the United States’ attempts to set up a military coalition in the Gulf to counter what it calls the “Iran threat”.

He further stressed that the presence of extra-regional military forces in the strategic region will act as a “source of insecurity.”

Zarif, in a post published on his official Twitter page on Friday, described the Gulf as a vital lifeline, and accordingly a national security priority for Iran.

He added that Iran has long acted as the guarantor of maritime security in the body of water, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic will not be reluctant to safeguard its security.

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi pointed to “illegitimate existence” of the "Israeli" regime in the Middle East as a source of insecurity and instability.

He highlighted that Iran 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. 

Iran says it reserves right to confront a possible "Israeli" presence in a US-led Gulf coalition in the Gulf.

"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," Mousavi noted.

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