Iran calls on regional states to guarantee Persian Gulf security
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said on May 28 that an action plan to be approved by the regional states to guarantee Persian Gulf security would be realistic, IRNA news agency reported.
Speaking in a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of establishment of Iran-Oman relations, Salehi said the action plan would be the sole way to achieve lasting security in the region.
He noted that regional states play a pivotal role to guarantee security of the Persian Gulf and 'such an important goal would be achieved only through collective participation of regional states free from foreign intervention.'
Re-emphasizing regional cooperation, Salehi said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has for long time been supporting collective security cooperation in the Persian Gulf by the littoral states."
Salehi made it clear that 14 rounds of joint economic commission sessions were held with the Omani government in addition to consultations in the context of strategic, political, military and scientific cooperation indicating foreign policy of both Iran and Oman to draw up common agenda.
He added that the consultations between the two countries would serve to prepare common ground for key regional issues and upgrading good neighborly relations.
The Iranian foreign minister said the project for transfer of gas from Iran to Oman and the agreement for transit cooperation would be the master key for future relations between the two countries, serving as a capacity for promotion of economic cooperation.
He said setting up direct air link between Muscat and Tehran would serve as a key variable for commercial and political ties.
Citing the current situation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf and the littoral states, Salehi said that presence of foreign forces in the region, activity of terrorist networks and drug traffickers, massacre of civilians by the extremist and terrorist groups especially in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, continued aggression of Israel, efforts to fan regional discord and provoking regional and international dispute are among challenges facing the regional and Persian Gulf states.