SAEDNEWS: Iran Says It Is Fully Prepared to Repel Any Aggression, Citing Experience From Three Rounds of Defense
According to Saednews, In an exclusive interview with Tunisia’s Al-Chourouk newspaper, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei discussed regional developments, Iran’s consultations with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, and prospects for establishing regional security arrangements independent of foreign powers.
On maritime security, Baqaei said Iran and Oman, as the two coastal states bordering the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, bear a special responsibility for ensuring safe navigation through the waterway.
He said Iran had consistently regarded the security of maritime traffic in the area as its responsibility over the past several decades. However, he noted that in recent months, the strait, along with the territory and facilities of regional countries, had been used to plan and carry out military aggression against Iran, including attacks on residential areas and the killing of civilians.
Baqaei stressed that these developments could not be ignored in future arrangements for managing the strait.
He added that Tehran and Muscat had continued consultations in recent months to establish safe passage routes for commercial vessels. The two sides had reached an understanding on a temporary safe passage route, although some implementation details remained under discussion.
He emphasized that the bilateral understanding on a safe route should not be mistaken for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or taken as a determination of its overall status. Any sustainable, long-term mechanism for managing and securing the waterway, he said, must be developed with the participation and agreement of both Iran and Oman, while taking their sovereignty and security concerns into consideration.
Baqaei added that interference by third parties should not disrupt the process.
On the prospect of closer regional coordination to counter foreign military presence, Baqaei said recent developments had provided important lessons for neighboring countries and members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.
He reiterated Iran’s position that regional security should be maintained by the countries of the region themselves, emphasizing that the presence of foreign military powers had been a major source of insecurity.
Baqaei said Iran respected the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of regional countries and harbored no hostility toward its neighbors. He described good-neighborly relations, expanded regional cooperation and the establishment of an indigenous security framework as longstanding pillars of Iran’s foreign policy.
He said recent developments had created an opportunity for Persian Gulf countries to consider the future of regional security from a more realistic perspective, free from interference by powers outside the region. While such an arrangement would not emerge overnight, he noted that continued dialogue and progress toward regional agreements were necessary steps.
Addressing the possibility of renewed confrontation with the US-Israeli alliance, Baqaei said Iran had consistently demonstrated its determination and capability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against aggression and threats.
He reaffirmed Tehran’s resolve to mobilize all available capabilities to counter hostile actions, adding that the country’s experience in three rounds of what he described as heroic defense against foreign aggression had further strengthened its operational preparedness.
