Foreign Ministry Refutes PGCC Summit's Views on Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson denounced the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council's (PGCC’s) summit statement regarding Iran’s trio islands in the Persian Gulf, its defense capabilities, its nuclear program, and the Arash gas field.
In a statement on Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei slammed as “unconstructive and unacceptable” the parts of the final statement of the 45th PGCC summit regarding Iran.
He deplored the repetition of the anti-Iranian claims, contained in the final statement of the PGCC summit in Kuwait, saying they contravene international law and contradict the principle of good neighborliness.
Reaffirming Iran's unyielding stance, the spokesperson underlined that Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb are integral and perpetual parts of the Iranian territory.
Iran condemns any claims made over these islands as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added.
He also condemned the comments mooted at the PGCC statement about Iran’s plans for residential construction on its three islands in the Persian Gulf, trips by its military and governmental officials to the islands or military war games on its territorial waters and soil.
He dismissed the PGCC’s claims against Iran’s defense and military power, stressing that Iran's missile capabilities are designed to protect its national security and safeguard regional peace and stability.
"The real threat to regional security and stability is the military presence of extra-regional actors, their military bases, and the Zionist regime, which is the root cause of insecurity and threats to Islamic countries, which has been shaped after usurping, aggression, occupation and genocide in an Islamic country," he added.
Baqaei also highlighted Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the UN nuclear chief’s recent visit to Iran, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is always committed to its international undertakings within the framework of the rights and duties enshrined in the relevant international documents and will continue its constructive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
On the Arash energy field, Baqaei said Iran has always insisted on constructive cooperation, on the basis of the previous bilateral talks with Kuwait, in the energy sector and on the exploitation of the joint hydrocarbon resources.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran always considers constructive interaction with the neighbors as the solution to the regional problems and welcomes the continuation of dialogue in order to strengthen peace and stability in the region and promote cooperation in all fields,” he added.