Iran says it is responsible for Gulf security
(VOVWORLD) - A senior Iranian security official said on Monday that Iran is responsible for security in the Persian Gulf as tensions rose following last week’s attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani. (Photo: almanar.com)
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Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran has always said it guarantees the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Shamkhani called on US forces to end their presence in the region because they are the main source of crisis and instability.
The Iranian army has denied that it was behind the attacks. The army says that if Iran decides to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, it will say so publicly. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said that countries need to cooperate to keep shipping lanes open to ensure stable oil and other energy supplies.