Persian Gulf security is Iran's main 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, Press TV reports.

“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. 

Speaking at his Tuesday press briefing in the Iranian capital, Tehran, 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. 

On July 7, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Hassan Firouzabadi said as a “Shia nation that acts reasonably,” Iran does not plan to close the Strait of Hormuz unless its interests are seriously threatened.