Iran considers security in the Gulf as vital and does not intend to attack anybody, Secretary of the countrys Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani told RT, accusing the US of sowing discord in the region.
Shamkhani told RTs Salam Musafir on a visit to Moscow that his country aims to ease tensions with all of its neighbors, including Arab and non-Arab countries, since they share a common history and culture. He said that this provides a basis for exploring a comprehensive non-aggression treaty that might also include Iraq.
“There is much evidence of brotherly relations between the regional powers. This might have paved the way for an agreement or a treaty [on non-aggression],” said the top official.
However, full-fledged reconciliation between Tehran and Baghdad is being impeded by the US, which deliberately drives a wedge between regional powers, many of which are US allies hosting its military installations.
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“Of course, external forces that have military bases in the countries of the region do not allow this. These forces wont allow these countries to act in accordance with their own will,” said Shamkhani.
Contrary to Washingtons rhetoric that portrays Iran as the menace that warrants a massive US military build-up in the Middle East, he argued that it is the US that poses the biggest threat to regional stability by fomenting tensions in the Gulf. Citing the “Iranian threat,” the US has deployed a carrier strike group, long-range strategic B-52 bombers, fighter jets, a Patriot missile battery, and an additional 2,500 troops to the area since May.
“Their presence in the Gulf is the main source of tension in the region. It is necessary to defuse these tensions for the regional powers to be able to help and trust each other while not allowing other parties to interfere with their internal affairs,” Shamkhani said.
The official argued that the Islamic Republic has fallen victim to a rampant disinformation campaign waged in the interests of Tel Aviv.
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“Everything that is said about us are unsubstantiated statements and lies, disseminated in the interests of one state, located in the region. Im talking about Israel, that has occupied and continues to retain Islamic territories.”
Shamkhani insists that Iran, which has long been demonized in the Israeli and Western media, is not threatening aRead More – Source
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