Iran says any external military presence in Gulf 'source of insecurity'
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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter on Friday that any military presence in the Gulf from outside the region would be a "source of insecurity" for Iran, and Tehran would act to safeguard its security.
Washington is lobbying international partners to join a maritime security coalition at a time of heightened tensions with Iran. Tehran earlier on Friday warned against any presence of its arch-foe Israel in the planned coalition.
"(The) Persian Gulf is a vital lifeline and thus nat'l security priority for Iran, which has long ensured maritime security," Zarif said in his tweet.
"Mindful of this reality, any extra-regional presence is by definition (a) source of insecurity ... Iran won't hesitate to safeguard its security," Zarif said.
Britain said on Monday it was joining the United States in the maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect vessels after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker.
