Iran Says Persian Gulf Security Top Priority

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says maintaining security of the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz is among Tehran’s top priorities.

“The security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained, so that all the countries could benefit from their national interests and [those of] the region,” the spokesman added.

Mehmanparast warned that any foreign effort to create chaos in the energy market will also harm the security of the Persian Gulf.

“When some countries change the situation in a direction which threatens our national interests, they should be ready to suffer the consequences of this wrong decision,” he added alluding to a bill drafted by Iranian lawmakers to close the Strait of Hormuz if sanctions against the country’s oil exports endanger its national interests.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also warned against the prospect of foreign intervention in Syria, reiterating Tehran’s offer to help diplomatic efforts to restore security in the Arab country.

Ramin Mehmanparast said the situation in Syria calls for the consultation and cooperation of the regional countries to come up with the right solution to meet the legitimate demands of the people and allow the government to take peaceful steps.

Mehmanparast added that some trans-regional countries try to lead the situation in Syria towards a civil war and set the stage for foreign intervention, which is not acceptable.

The Iranian official warned that some other countries are attempting to create insecurity and instability by supporting armed groups and strengthening terrorist operations in Syria.

Mehmanparast reiterated Tehran’s offer to meditate between the Syrian opposition and government in order to end the crisis in Syria.

Describing Iran’s role in resolving regional issues as undeniable, Mehmanparast said Iran has made every effort to reestablish security and stability in Syria.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also said the date and venue of the next round of talks between Iran and six major world powers (P5+1) would be announced in case the two sides’ upcoming deputy-level meeting yields positive results.

If positive results are achieved during the talks between Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Baqeri and the deputy of EU foreign policy chief, Helga Schmid, the date and venue of the next round of negotiations will be decided, Ramin Mehmanparast said.

Mehmanparast added that SNSC Secretary Saeed Jalili and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton would confer before the negotiations.

Mehmanparast further expressed hope for positive results to surface in the expert and deputy-level meetings in Istanbul so that additional steps toward higher-level negotiations could be taken.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman has also expressed deep concern over the massacre of Muslims in Myanmar, urging an end to violence in the southeastern Asian country.

“It is expected that the Myanmar government will prepare the ground for solidarity, national unity and [asserting the] rights of Muslims in the country and that it will avert violence and a human catastrophe in this regard,” Mehmanparast said.

He called for “swift and serious” measures by the Myanmar government, the international community and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to clarify the aspects of this incident and put an end to the violence.

The Iranian spokesperson emphasized that respect for the rights of the followers of different religions and preparing the ground for religious and ethnic minorities to enjoy their civil rights are principles accepted by all schools of thoughts.

He has called on Myanmar’s government to recognize the rights of Rohingya Muslims in the country, calling for an international move to stop the violence against the minority group.

“We strongly advise Myanmar’s government to recognize the rights of its minority groups. The Muslim community is an inseparable part of the country and the civil rights have to be recognized,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said.

“We also urge Muslim countries, international organizations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take serious measures to stop the violence,” he added.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also condemned the recent bomb attack in Syria’s capital that killed and injured several senior Syrian officials.

In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly slammed the terrorist attack, expressing the Islamic Republic’s condolences to the Syrian government and nation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns any violence and resorting to destructive measures and believes that the only way to overcome the current crisis in Syria is through holding talks in order to find political ways for the existing problems,” the Foreign Ministry statement said adding, “Because every instability in this country can fuel crisis and chaos in the region and lead to more violence and unrest.”

“There is no doubt that foreign interferences and sending weapons and ammunition to Syria and the support of certain regional and international parties for terrorist attacks which target Syria’s stability and security and its resilient nation will not succeed and such activities must stop as soon as possible,” the statement added.