Iran fury: Tehran’s President condemns US military build-up in Gulf in devastating attack

According to Al Jazeera, Mr Rouhani argued Washington’s military build-up in the Gulf was “creating division and emptying the treasuries” of countries in the region. Speaking in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Mr Rouhani said the countries in the Gulf were able to handle their own security and he called for a unity between them to do so. The Iranian Student News Agency claimed he said: “All talks about establishing a new coalition in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman won’t be practical.”

“No doubt that it won’t help the security of the region. There is no need for the presence of foreign forces to provide security.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to ensure the security of the historical region alongside its littoral states, as it has done so throughout the history.”

The Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran has become a turning point in deteriorating relationships between Washington and Tehran.

Iran denied allegations from the US they were sabotaging tankers along the important trade route.

The US have since bulked up their naval presence in the Gulf, deploying additional forces inclining air craft carriers and B-52 bombers.

Tensions are still mounting as the US announced the creation of a naval coalition to combat “Iranian aggression” in the gulf.

Reports of Israel supporting the Naval coalition were criticised by Iranian officials.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi claimed Iran would have a right to confront it as a “clear threat” if there was any involvement by Israel in the naval missions.

Mr Rouhani said: “We have a clear response to these efforts; the Israelis had better ensure the security of where they are.

“They have brought about insecurity, massacre and terror wherever they were present.”

Struggles have taken place for Washington to find European allies other than the UK.

Relationships between the UK and Iran soured after British authorities seized and Iranian tanker off of Gibraltar in July on the suspicions it was shipping oil to Syria, in breach of EU sanctions.

Tehran denied allegations claiming the UK was acting on behalf of the US.

Later that month Iran seized a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz claiming it collided with a fishing boat, breaking international laws.

Frictions between the US and Iran are rooted in Donald Trump’s decision last year to withdraw Washington from a landmark nuclear deal signed in 2015 between world powers and Iran.

source: express.co.uk