Iran Warns of Consequences of US’ Persian Gulf Coalition Ploy

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned against the consequences of a maritime coalition force the US plans to create in the Persian Gulf, saying such measures would foment insecurity in the region and aggravate its problems.

News ID: 78367

Date: 12 August 2019 - 13:50

In a telephone conversation with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday, Rouhani said Washington’s plan to create a naval coalition to patrol the Persian Gulf will make the problems in the region more complicated and dangerous.

He also said Iran attaches great importance to maintaining and enhancing security of the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman, adding that Tehran has done its best to maintain security and development in the region.

Rouhani further hailed the friendly and developing ties between Tehran and Doha, stressing that the bilateral relations should grow in all fields, including in political, economic and cultural areas.

The Iranian president also congratulated the Qatari government and nation on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

For his part, the emir of Qatar congratulated the Iranian government and nation on Eid al-Adha.

The Qatari leader underlined that de-escalation of tensions would be in favor of everyone, saying the security of the Persian Gulf should be ensured by the regional countries alone.

Al Thani also underscored that Doha welcomes the expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields.

The Pentagon has said recently that the US was working on a new security initiative in the Persian Gulf by “shining a flashlight” in the region to deter attacks on commercial ships.

“The goal is to increase maritime domain awareness and surveillance capabilities in the region to dissuade malign action,” said Kathryn Wheelbarger, one of the most senior policy officials at the Pentagon.

Under a plan detailed on July 9, the US would provide coordinating ships and lead surveillance efforts while participants in the coalition patrolled nearby waters and escorted commercial vessels with their nation’s flags.

In remarks in 2016, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined that security of the Persian Gulf region comes within the purview of the regional countries alone, and dismissed the US claim of seeking security in the region.

“The Persian Gulf security relates to the countries of the region which have common interests, and not to the US. So, security of the Persian Gulf region should be provided by the countries of this region itself,” the Leader said.

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