Iran on Wednesday renewed its warning to the United States against keeping a US Navy presence in the oil-rich Gulf, underlining a threat that Washington has dismissed as a sign of “weakness” from Tehran.
“Iran will do anything to preserve the security of the Strait of Hormuz” at the entrance to the Gulf, defence minister Ahmad Vahidi said, Iran state TV’s website reported.
“The presence of forces from beyond the (Gulf) region has no result but turbulence. We have said the presence of forces from beyond the region in the Persian Gulf is not needed and is harmful,” he was quoted as saying.
The comments echoed a warning issued Tuesday by Iran’s military that it would unleash its “full force” if a US aircraft carrier is redeployed to the Gulf.
These developments have helped send the international prices of oil soaring, though they pulled back a little on Wednesday.