Ali Rabiei, the Iranian government spokesman, claimed on Sunday that his country is in charge of the Gulf's security and that the European’s presence in these waters is a “threat” to the stability and security of the region.
"European countries naval coalition in the Gulf sends threatening messages to Iran," Rabiei was quoted by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
He also said that, “the dispatch of European forces to the Persian Gulf is threatening at the present moment, and it sends signal hostile and provocative message and will deteriorate the Gulf crises.”
Rabiei has praised the “great role” of Iran “in providing security and stability in the Gulf” and insisted that no other forces are needed in that region.
"Iran is the greatest country, which provide the security of navigation in the Gulf,” he noted.
The seizure of a British oil tanker, Stena Impero, by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Strait of Hormuz increased tensions in the past few weeks.
UK officials has recently unveiled plans for a European-led naval mission in the Gulf to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan is reportedly not a part of the US “maximum pressure” on Iran.
