Iran warns its southern neighbors against missile shield plan in Persian Gulf: DM

English.news.cn 2012-04-04 22:41:17

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/04/c_131507306.htm

TEHRAN, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigardier General Ahmad Vahidi warned its southern neighbors on Wednesday against the missile shield plan to be established in the Persian Gulf, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

"Missile defense shield in the Persian Gulf is an American- Israeli move, and we advise our friends not to enter these fields, " Vahidi was quoted as saying.

On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks in Saudi Arabia about plans for a Persian Gulf missile shield system against alleged Iran's threats.

Addressing a first Gulf-U.S. security forum in Saudi capital Riyadh, Clinton said that Washington is committed to the security of the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as its allies in the region.

Iran rejected the plan when it was first proposed because the Islamic republic believes that this plan will undermine regional security, said Iranian defense minister on Wednesday.

Also, head of the Iranian Majlis ( parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said Sunday that a U.S. plan to establish missile shield in the Persian Gulf is a source of "tension."

The Persian Gulf states should think of the security of the region in collaborating with the regional countries rather than providing bases for the United States, Boroujerdi told Mehr.

It is for years that the United States has provoked Iranophebia and has introduced the Islamic republic as a danger to the Middle East, he said, adding that by this, the United States wants to enhance its military presence in the region.

The Islamic republic will respond "appropriately and firmly" to any move in the region which is against its national interests, he said according to Mehr.

Also, Turkey's decision to deploy U.S. radar in its soil as part of a Europe-wide missile defense system has angered Iran, prompting some Iranian officials to threaten Turkey with attacks.

Demanding explanations from Iran for attack threat, Turkey has assured its neighbor that the deployment of U.S. radar is not a threat to Tehran.