Ramin Mehman-Parast: Maintenance of Security in Persian Gulf Main Priority for Iran

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast stressed the importance of maintaining security in the Persian Gulf region, and called for collective cooperation among the regional states to this end.

“The principle strategy for the elimination of threats and insecurities is that foreign forces return to their region,” Mehman-Parast said on Wednesday, adding, “Regional security would be best established by means of collective regional efforts.”

He noted that maintaining security in the vital oil-rich region of Persian Gulf is the main priority for the Islamic Republic, noting that Iran remains fully prepared to counter any threats.

In relevant remarks in January, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi had also underlined the withdrawal of American forces from the Persian Gulf as the only way to establish durable security and stability in the region.

“This issue does not provide any reason for legitimacy of the US troops’ presence in the Persian Gulf region,” Vahidi told reporters after a cabinet session when asked to comment on a western media report that 13 Iranian sailors were rescued by the US forces in the Persian Gulf.