Iran Army Chief Warns of Consequences of US-Led Maritime Coalition

In comments at a military ceremony on Thursday, the Iranian Army chief said the so-called coalition that the US is seeking to create in the Persian Gulf is a “new satanic plot” that is very unlikely to materialize.

Such a US-led maritime coalition would undoubtedly bring about insecurity and would be detrimental to both regional states and countries that rely on oil imports from the region, the commander warned.

The Americans are indeed devising a new plot for extorting ransom in the region, the general deplored, stressing that the Iranian Armed Forces will not back off a bit from efforts to ensure security and deal with the sources of insecurity.

He said the US government’s “satanic activities” are inspired by the Zionist lobbies for the purpose of creating division and insecurity in the region.

The Iranian Army commander underlined that sustainable security in the region would be achieved through regional cooperation and collective action, adding that the region will be unsafe for the pirates and for those fomenting insecurity.

The Iranian military forces are ready to give a crushing response to any aggressor when necessary, he concluded.

His warning came after the US announced plans to create a new security initiative in the Persian Gulf by forming a coalition for escorting commercial ships.

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.