Iran Dismisses US Plan for Persian Gulf Coalition

In separate telephone conversations with his Kuwaiti, Qatari and Omani counterparts on Thursday, General Hatami underscored that regional security would be ensured only by the regional countries.

“The military coalition that the US wants to form under the pretext of providing shipping security will only further escalate insecurity in the region,” the Iranian minister said.

Highlighting Iran’s commitment to the Persian Gulf security, General Hatami added, “The Islamic Republic of Iran spares no effort to protect maritime security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman.”

“Security of the region is a common concern of Iran and the Persian Gulf neighbors, therefore, we believe that security must be provided by the regional countries, who should enter constructive negotiations in this regard,” the Iranian minister noted.

Expansion of ties with the neighbors is a pillar of Iran’s foreign and defense policy, he underlined, saying Iran has always emphasized the need for relations with the “brothers” in the Persian Gulf region, although certain foreign elements have been attempting in the past decades to create a gap between the neighbors.

“The US regime is the root cause of insecurity in the region, and we believe that security should belong to the whole regional countries, and we do not approve of insecurity inside or against any of the countries, and believe that the region should not become a place for the free presence of aliens,” Hatami added.

Pointing to the reports about Israel’s willingness to join the US-led maritime coalition in the Persian Gulf, the Iranian defense minister said, “Such a probable measure would be extremely provocative and have disastrous consequences for the region.”

In one of the telephone conversations, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Bin Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah voiced his country’s enthusiasm for stronger ties with Iran.

Kuwait recognizes Iran’s significant role in preserving regional peace and stability, as the Islamic Republic has already proved its sense of good neighborliness during an attack on Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, he added.

In another call, Qatar’s Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah told his Iranian counterpart that regional security must be ensured by the countries on the two sides of the Persian Gulf. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is a major country in protecting and ensuring Persian Gulf security.”

Finally, Oman’s Minister Responsible for Defense Badr bin Saud al Busaidi said in the phone call with Hatami that the regional countries need to join hands in protecting the security of regional waters.

He also emphasized the need for continued coordination and cooperation between the naval forces of Iran and Oman to ensure the security of Hormuz Strait.

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.