Persian Gulf security must come from within the region, not outside: Iran deputy FM
A senior Iranian diplomat says security in the Persian Gulf region must be built from within the region, with all regional countries participating in its provision.
“Security is something that must be built from within the region, and all regional countries should participate in providing it,” Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said in a pre-recorded interview with IRNA that was published on Friday.
Based on information available to Tehran and ongoing contacts with regional officials, countries have reached the conclusion that any escalation of conflict and continuation of military operations would be "very dangerous" for their own security, he added.
He warned that the countries in the region would be “directly and heavily affected by any expansion or continuation of military operations.”
Gharibabadi reiterated the fact that the continuation of military actions could be harmful and destructive for the Persian Gulf countries’ security and economic development.
Following the 40-day US-Israeli war and during the implementation of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, a consensus emerged among countries on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf that regional security concerns should be discussed and addressed by the countries of the region themselves, said the diplomat.
He described the development as a positive trend and said Iran has always emphasized that regional issues belong to the countries in the region and that security should be ensured by them.
"Therefore, we welcomed this approach," the Iranian diplomat said.
Gharibabadi added that if peace, calm and stability return to the region, security meetings among regional states are likely to resume.
“Persian Gulf countries have come to realize that the presence of foreign powers and external forces, even with the most advanced military equipment and even on their own territory, does not provide them with security,” he pointed out.
The comments come as Iran has repeatedly emphasized that the presence of US military forces in the Persian Gulf has contributed to regional instability, tensions and conflict, maintaining that lasting security can only be achieved through cooperation among the countries of the region rather than reliance on external powers.
The US used its bases in several Arab countries for its unprovoked aggression against Iran since February 28. Iran responded with daily waves of missiles and drones targeting US and Israeli assets across the region while imposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.
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Persian Gulf security must come from within the region, not outside: Iran deputy FM
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