'Hormuz Strait security is issue of regional states'

The countries outside the region can not determine the security in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said in an interview with Iranian Al-Akhbar newspaper.

Salehi urged Iran's "neighbors from the Persian Gulf" to cooperate in ensuring the security in both Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf as well. He added that the interference of countries outside the region is unacceptable.

Iran has repeatedly stated that the U.S military deployments in the Persian Gulf destabilize the region. The Islamic Republic has warned the West of the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass.

Iran's threats were issued in response to aggressive military build-up, covert war operations and proposed sanctions against the Iranian oil sector, coming from the US and its allies.

"As of now, we are not discussing the closure of Hormuz Strait," Salehi said. "We know that the strait is very important to Iran and neighboring countries as well".

Salehi stressed that "Iran, most of all, is interested in maintaining peace in both Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf", adding that "there must be a collective effort at keeping security".

With regard to the sanctions imposed on Iran, Salehi thinks that they will not have any significant impact on the country.

"The West follows wrong policy towards Iran, as we do not think these sanctions will bring any sort of economic crisis to the country," Salehi pointed out. "Putting pressure on Iran will not help the West succeed with its plans. Iran will get over it and become even stronger".

Speaking of Iran's relations with other countries, Salehi appreciated the relations with other countries of the Middle East.

"Iran's policy towards Saudi Arabia and Qatar is friendly, we do not have any hostility towards these countries," he said. "Iran will also continue to support Syria."


/Trend/