Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed the US is creating a “hostile act” against Iran by ramping up naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump’s administration has sought out allies for an international coalition to “combat Iranian aggression” in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Mr Zarif told Al Jazeera: “We believe that the best the US can do for the protection of maritime navigation is to just leave people alone; don’t interfere.
“This is basically a hostile act against Iran and I do not believe it will have any impact other than insecurity.”
Tensions are on the rise in the Gulf as the United States maintains its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, raising concerns over a full-blown military outbreak.
Mr Zarif also warned against US weapons sales in the Middle East.
He said: “If you are talking about threats coming from the region, the threats are coming from the US and its allies who are pouring weapons in the region, making it a tinderbox ready to blow up.
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“I think the United States is the source of instability in this region.
“I think US allies, unfortunately, have been the source of instability.
“What is very clear – extremely clear – is that we are not seeking war, we do not want confrontation, we want development for our people, we want development for our region.”
The crisis between the two countries escalated last year when Trump pulled out of a nuclear agreement signed between world powers and Iran in 2015, saying it was a bad deal.
Trump has since reinstated sanctions targeting Tehran and countries trading with it which Mr Zarif described it as “economic warfare”.
He said: “The Americans are not in a position to draw red lines for what we do for our defence.”
Mr Zarif added Iran has continued to commit to the nuclear pact and its viability, despite admitting it has encountered opposition.
He said: “It wasn’t the best deal for everybody because you cannot have the perfect deal. There is no perfect deal.
“If President Trump is given correct advice, he will be able to basically accept the reality that this is the best deal possible and we can move forward.”
Mr Zarif believes the US is getting more and more isolated due to their removal of the nuclear deal with Iran and other agreements such as the Paris convention and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
He added: “Basically everything they could break they are breaking.
“They are the source of instability globally and this type of behaviour will lead to further global disorder. And I think that is dangerous for everybody and everybody is realising that.”