Mission
Tehran, Aug. 9, 2019 (dpa/NAN) Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad-Zarif, on Friday said a U.S.-led maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz would be a source of insecurity.
The U.S. has been seeking allies for a naval mission to guarantee freedom of navigation in the region, after Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in recent weeks in apparent retaliation for Britain impounding an Iranian tanker.
The rising tensions in the Gulf come as the U.S., which in 2018 withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal, imposed sanctions and maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.
However, Britain has agreed to join the U.S.-led naval mission, but other European nations, including Germany, have been reticent for fear of being dragged into an all-out conflict.
European countries have been trying to preserve the 2015 deal, which limited Iran’s nuclear activity so as to make it technically impossible for the Islamic Republic to acquire nuclear weapons.
But they have been largely unable to counteract the crippling effect of the re-imposed U.S. sanctions, which had led European firms also to pull out of Iran.
“Persian Gulf is vital lifeline and thus national security priority for Iran, which has long ensured maritime security.
“Mindful of this reality, any extra-regional presence is by definition source of insecurity, in spite of propaganda.
“Iran won’t hesitate to safeguard its security,’’ Zarif said.
Iran impounded a British-flagged and a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker in recent weeks for allegedly breaking international law as well as smuggling oil.
The moves were widely seen as retaliation for the seizure of an Iranian tanker by U.S. ally Britain off Gibraltar.
London alleged that the vessel was carrying oil to Syria contrary to EU sanctions.
Meanwhile, Tehran also claimed to have impounded an Iraqi-flagged vessel for oil-smuggling.
However, France hit back by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, was sending mixed signals to Tehran, adding that nobody was authorised to represent the U.S.
According to Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le-Drian, France requires no authorisation to engage diplomatically with Iran, the heightened tensions require political initiatives to restore the conditions for dialogue.
“France was true to its signature to the 2015 accord as are the other signatories, apart from the U.S.
“Paris firmly asks Iran to resume compliance with its obligations,’’ Le-Drian said.
However, the Iranian government has responded to the U.S. sanctions by gradually breaching some of the limits set by the agreement. (dpa/NAN)
YI/AIB
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Abdulfatah Babatunde