Iran says reserves right to counter Israeli presence in US-led coalition in Persian Gulf

Iran says it considers possible Israeli presence in a US-led coalition in the Persian Gulf as a clear threat to its national security, and reserves the right to counter it. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Friday referred to the “illegitimate existence” of the Israeli regime in the Middle East as a source of insecurity and instability.

"Within the framework of the country's deterrence and defensive policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to counter this threat and defend its territory," he noted.

"The US regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime are responsible for all the consequences of this dangerous move," the spokesman added.

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 said on August 7 that the regime would be part of the US-led coalition to “protect the security of the Persian Gulf”.

Katz claimed that Israel was determined to stop “Iranian entrenchment” in the Middle East region and strengthen Tel Aviv’s relationship with Persian Gulf countries, Ynet reported.

"The announcement about the possible presence of the al-Quds occupying regime in the self-proclaimed military coalition in the Persian Gulf is a clear threat to Iran's national security," Mousavi said. 

"The right to confront this threat within the framework of the country's defense policy is the right of Iran, and all the consequences of this dangerous act will befall the American regime and the illegitimate Zionist regime," he added.

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

"Iran believes the presence of ultra-regional forces in the Persian Gulf under any name and title will not only fail to help reinforce the region's security, but will further prepare the grounds for tension and crisis in the sensitive Persian Gulf region," Mousavi said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its opposition to the formation of such coalitions and considers it a deceptive act which create tensions," he added.

Mousavi also said Tehran will regard the organizers, founders, and members of such a coalition as the culprits behind possible tensions and crises that would emanate from such a move.

On June 30, the US officially asked Germany to participate — alongside Britain and France — in the coalition, a request that was declined by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas a day later. The UK, however, later accepted to join the coalition.

PressTV-Allies snub US on Persian Gulf military 'mission': Reports

The US request to build a "coalition" against Iran in the Persian Gulf has been met with either silence or rejection, including a blunt “no” from Germany, the New York Times reports.

Iran's defense chief said on Thursday that the US-proposed coalition, which Washington purports would seek to beef up maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, will foment insecurity in the region.

Such a coalition "will only increase regional insecurity," Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami told his Kuwaiti, Qatari, and Omani counterparts during separate telephone conversations on Thursday, IRNA reported.

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