IRGC seizes 7 trawlers near Strait of Hormuz 

TEHRAN – The Navy of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said in a statement on Wednesday that its forces have detained seven trawling ships in the Jask region, near the Strait of Hormuz.

Two camp parks inaugurated in Qeshm Island

TEHRAN – On Wednesday, two coastal camp parks were opened to the public in Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.

By Negar Asadi

U.S. move to form coalition in Persian Gulf ‘not feasible’: Japanese professor

TEHRAN - Hisae Nakanishi, a professor of International Relations of the Middle East at Doshisha University in Japan, believes that the United States’ move to form a maritime coalition in the Persian Gulf is “unwise and even not feasible”.

By staff and agency

Australia does not agree with Washington’s stand on Iran: diplomat

Australian Ambassador to Russia Graeme Meehan has said that Canberra’s participation in the U.S.-led coalition in the Persian Gulf does not mean that the country agrees with Washington’s stand on Iran.

By Javad Heirannia

Persian Gulf security architecture can only be inclusive: Adib-Moghaddam

TEHRAN-Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, Chair of the Centre for Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute believes that “UK is entangled in the Brexit imbroglio and does not have a coherent strategy for its policies in the Persian Gulf because of that.”

IRGC wing to construct artificial island

TEHRAN – The Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Base, a business conglomerate and the construction wing of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), plans to build an artificial island in the Persian Gulf, near Kish Island, a free zone.

‘Security in Persian Gulf can only be protected by regional countries’

TEHRAN - Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard, commander of Iran’s Air Defense Force, said on Friday that security in the Persian Gulf region can only be protected by the countries in the region and not by the foreign forces.

By Payman Yazdani

Despite differences PG states able to preserve regional dynamics: Turkish expert

TEHRAN - Emphasizing significance of the role of regional countries in ensuring the  the Persian Gulf security, Dr. Bilgehan Alagoz says Despite all the problems between Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, this region has always been able to preserve its own unique dynamics.

By Payman Yazdani

Indonesia interested in exchanging information, defense equipment with Iran 

TEHRAN– Indonesian Ambassador Octavino Alimudin in an exclusive interview with Mehr News Agency said Indonesia is interested in exchanging information and defense equipment with Iran to fight terrorism.

Chinese envoy blames the U.S. for Persian Gulf tensions

TEHRAN – Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Chang Hua has said the main reason behind tensions in the Persian Gulf is Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Zarif: Pressure on Iran ‘will never work’

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the United States pressure to push Iran to the negotiating table will never work and added that Iranians never negotiate under duress.

Foreign presence in Persian Gulf detrimental to regional security: IRGC chief

TEHRAN – Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran regards the presence of outsiders in the Persian Gulf as detrimental to the security of the region.

Paul Barratt says “the ANZUS alliance creates no obligation for us to support foolish and illegal acts” by the U.S. 

Ex-Australian Department of Defense secretary: Incumbent of White House should not decide for our foreign policy 

TEHRAN - Paul Barratt, a former Australian Department of Defense secretary and a deputy secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has criticized the Canberra government for deciding to join the U.S. coalition against Iran in the Persian Gulf, saying the Australians themselves should decide about their foreign policy and not Donald Trump’s White House. 

By staff and agency

UN backs nuclear deal, says genuine dialogue needed to avoid confrontation in region

UN Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said on Tuesday that “restraint and genuine dialogue are urgently needed” to avoid a major confrontation, which would have disastrous consequences, even well beyond the Middle East region.

By staff and agency

Russia says building coalitions in Persian Gulf may lead to sad consequences

Russia’s acting envoy to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky warned on Tuesday that building coalitions in the Persian Gulf may lead to sad consequences, inviting UN Security Council member states to discuss its Concept for collective security in the region.

Australia joins naval mission in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN - Australia has joined Great Britain and Bahrain in signing onto a U.S.-led maritime security mission that the U.S. claimed is aimed at protecting international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran believes the real reason for it is to threaten its interests in the Persian Gulf.

New Zealand says has no boats to send to Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN – New Zealand's defense minister says while no formal request for assistance was made, Britain approached New Zealand about whether it had any capacity to help.

Takht-Ravanchi says foreign forces are sowing insecurity in Strait of Hormuz with their presence

Iran’s Takht-Ravanchi warns of Washington’s ‘divide and rule’ strategy

TEHRAN – Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, warned on Tuesday that the U.S. is seeking to sow discord among regional states through its “divide and rule” strategy.

Foreigners have no choice but to leave Persian Gulf, Zarif says in Kuwait

TEHRAN - “Foreigners” have no place in the Persian Gulf region and have to leave, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a meeting with Kuwait’s crown prince on Sunday.

U.S., Britain presence in Persian Gulf brings insecurity, Tangsiri warns

If a nuclear battleship attacked in Persian Gulf there will be no drinking water: Iran’s IRGC Navy chief

TEHRAN – Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, the IRGC Navy chief, said on Sunday that the presence of the U.S. and Britain in the Persian Gulf brings insecurity to the region.

‘Iran after forming constructive ties with neighbors’

TEHRAN – The Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Irani, says Iran’s foreign policy is based on establishing constructive relations with neighbors.

Iran’s deterrence power cannot be tested: Army air defense chief

TEHRAN – A top military commander said on Wednesday that Iran’s defense capability cannot be tested, saying if the enemies don’t dare to approach the Strait of Hormuz and are withdrawing their warships from the Persian Gulf it is because of Iran’s deterrence power.

Rouhani says Iran will take next step to limit nuclear commitments if demands not met

No need to foreign forces for Persian Gulf security, Rouhani says

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday insisted on Iran’s position that there is no need to foreign forces to maintain security in the Persian Gulf region.

By staff and agency

U.S. not in a position to draw redlines for Iran’s defense capabilities: Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the United States is not in a position to draw redlines for Iran’s defense capabilities.

Regional states responsible for Persian Gulf security, Zarif says in meeting with Qatari FM

TEHRAN – In a meeting with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that regional countries, and not foreign forces, are responsible for security in the Persian Gulf region.

Strait of Hormuz is Iran’s redline: Jahangiri

TEHRAN - First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri on Monday insisted on the need for security in Iran’s northern and southern waters, saying keeping security in the Strait of Hormuz is extremely significant and it is a “red line” for Iran.

U.S. arms sales make Persian Gulf into ‘tinderbox ready to blow up’

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned against an arms race in the Middle East, saying recent U.S. weapons sales have turned the Persian Gulf region into a “tinderbox ready to blow up”.

Israeli presence in Persian Gulf may result in war, IRGC Navy chief warns

U.S., UK responsible for consequences of Israeli presence in Persian Gulf: IRGC

 The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf may result in a war in the region, and the responsibility for the consequences of such illegal presence lies with the U.S. and the UK.

U.S. attempt to form military coalition in Persian Gulf failed miserably: general

TEHRAN – Brigadier General Ahmadreza Pourdastan, head of the Iranian Army’s Strategic Studies, said on Saturday that that U.S. attempt to form a military coalition in the Persian Gulf has failed miserably.

Russian envoy warns about ultra-regional presence in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – Russia's ambassador to Iran has warned about any mistake by the ultra-regional forces in the Persian Gulf.