Iran cmdr. warns Israel to stay away from PG, says Tehran strongly defends its waters

An Iranian commander has challenged Israel’s claim of seeking to join a US-led coalition to boost security around the Strait of Hormuz, saying the regime is not capable of ensuring its security let alone that of the Persian Gulf region.

The head of Iran’s Passive Defense Organization, Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali, on Wednesday warned against possible Israeli presence in a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf, saying if the Israelis are really capable of providing security, they had better protect themselves in the face of resistance fighters in Palestine and Lebanon.

Jalali described the Israeli regime as the source of insecurity in West Asia and said how in the world such an occupying regime was supposed to provide security in the Persian Gulf.  

Stressing that the Islamic Republic is dead serious when it comes to defending national interests in its territorial waters, the commander said, “Iran powerfully defends its national interests in its territorial waters and wherever national interests require so, and it is completely serious in this regard.”

Jalali said that the US is seeking to stoke insecurity in the Persian Gulf but “Iran seeks to promote collective security in the region and … pursues this significant job through joint cooperation with its neighbors in the view of [ensuring] common interests.”

“Anyway, if enemies are seeking to wage a war, they will undoubtedly receive a firm and crushing response from our brave soldiers as they have witnessed our might before,” he noted.

He also stressed that the US-led coalition is doomed to failure.

PressTV-Iran says reserves right to counter Israel in Persian Gulf

Iran says it reserves right to confront a possible Israeli presence in a US-led Persian Gulf coalition in the Persian Gulf.

The remarks came after Israel said it will join what the US calls an effort to boost security of navigation in the Persian Gulf.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz claimed that Israel was seeking to assist US-led efforts to boost security around the strategic Strait of Hormuz and was determined to stop “Iranian entrenchment” in the Middle East region and strengthen Tel Aviv’s relationship with Persian Gulf countries.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani scoffed at the Israeli plan to join the US-led maritime coalition in the Persian Gulf region, saying the regime is not even capable of securing the areas it has occupied.

PressTV-Rouhani scoffs at prospect of Israel role in Persian Gulf

Iran’s president says Israel is incapable of securing even the areas it has occupied, not to mention the Persian Gulf region.

The Israelis “should try providing security where they are if they are really capable of doing that,” Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting.

“No one should be baited by these claims and statements [about Israel’s potential presence in the Persian Gulf] because it is clear to all how it would end,” the president noted.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has also warned that any Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf may result in a war in the region.

PressTV-Israeli presence in Persian Gulf may result in war: IRGC

A top Iranian general has warned the US and the UK of the consequences of illegal Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf.

"Any presence of the Zionist regime in the Persian Gulf waters is illegal, as it may result in war and confrontation in the region," IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen on Sunday.

The US has announced plans to form the force amid its attempts to disrupt Iran’s foreign oil sales as part of its sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic.

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