Iran says any external military presence in Gulf 'source of insecurity'

Published August 9, 2019
A gunner fires a Mark 38 25 mm machine gun system during a live-fire exercise aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) in the Gulf, in this undated handout picture released by US Navy on August 1. — Reuters
A gunner fires a Mark 38 25 mm machine gun system during a live-fire exercise aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) in the Gulf, in this undated handout picture released by US Navy on August 1. — Reuters

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter on Friday that any military presence in the Gulf from outside the region would be a “source of insecurity” for Iran, and Tehran would act to safeguard its security.

Washington is lobbying international partners to join a maritime security coalition at a time of heightened tensions with Iran. Tehran earlier on Friday warned against any presence of its arch-foe Israel in the planned coalition.

“(The) Persian Gulf is a vital lifeline and thus nat'l security priority for Iran, which has long ensured maritime security,” Zarif said in his tweet.

“Mindful of this reality, any extra-regional presence is by definition (a) source of insecurity ... Iran won't hesitate to safeguard its security,” Zarif said.

Britain said on Monday it was joining the United States in the maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect vessels after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker.

Traffic in the Strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes, has become the focus of a standoff between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump quit a 2015 nuclear pact and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Iran says the responsibility of securing these waters lies with Tehran and other countries in the region.

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which support US policy against Iran, have called on the international community to safeguard maritime trade and security of global oil supplies.

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...