TEHRAN -- A member of the Majlis Cultural Commission lashed out here Saturday at the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf region, saying it has posed several challenges for regional countries.

"The U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf region has caused several political, economic and cultural challenges for regional states since the region has geopolitical importance," Javad Eta'at told IRNA.

"The Persian Gulf region has a special significance from the political, economic and cultural points of view," he said, adding that a number of political groups in the region have laid down suitable grounds for the united states to stay in the region on the pretext of giving greater expression to democracy and human rights.