Tehran has dismissed anti-Iran allegations made by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), saying outsiders pose a real danger to regional security and stability.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement released on Monday, “The real threat to the security and stability of the region is the military presence of trans-regional players, their military bases and the Zionist regime as the root cause of insecurity.”
“Israel threatens Muslim countries since it has been created by means of [land] expropriation, aggression, occupation and genocide in a Muslim country.”
He rejected as “unconstructive and unacceptable” the anti-Iran claims made in the final communiqué of the 45th GCC Summit in Kuwait.
Baghaei said the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb are an inseparable and perpetual part of Iranian territory, condemning any claims over them as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“It is evident that the repetition of baseless and interventionist claims will neither alter history nor geography,” he said.
The Iranian diplomat also censured the GCC statement about Iran’s plans for residential construction on its three islands in the Persian Gulf, trips by its military and governmental officials to the islands or military war games on its territorial waters and soil.
He also refuted the GCC claims against Iran’s defense and military power. He said Iran's missile capabilities are designed to protect its national security and safeguard regional peace and stability.
Baghaei highlighted Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the recent visit to Tehran by director general of the UN nuclear agency Rafael Grossi.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is always committed to its international undertakings within the framework of the rights and duties enshrined in the relevant international documents, and will continue its constructive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
On the Arash gas field, Baghaei said Iran has always insisted on constructive cooperation, on the basis of the previous bilateral talks with Kuwait, in the energy sector and on the exploitation of the joint hydrocarbon resources.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran always considers constructive interaction with the neighbors as the solution to the regional problems and welcomes the continuation of dialogue in order to strengthen peace and stability in the region and promote cooperation in all fields.”