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.

To avoid Iran ire, Japan may send ships off Yemen: report

Japanese government sources say Tokyo is not willing to join a U.S.-led naval mission purportedly aimed at protecting shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf, but is mulling over sending ships off Yemen.

‘Iran won't hesitate to safeguard its security’ in the Persian Gulf, Zarif insists

Zarif: Persian Gulf is a ‘national security priority for Iran’

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that the Persian Gulf is a “national security priority for Iran” and that Tehran will not “hesitate to safeguard its security” in this strategic waterway, which he described as a “vital lifeline” for the Islamic Republic.

By Negar Asadi

Healthy economy is antidote to sanctions on Iran: scholar

TEHRAN - A prominent scholar, believes that fighting corruption and building a healthy foundation for economy are catalysts to resist sanctions and external pressure on Iran.

Iran has right to counter Israeli presence in U.S.-led coalition in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – Tehran says it has a right to counter the presence of Israel in a U.S.-led coalition in the Persian Gulf.

MP: U.S. coalition in Persian Gulf doomed to failure

TEHRAN – A top lawmaker has slammed the U.S. decision to form a naval coalition in the Persian Gulf, saying such efforts will definitely lead nowhere.

'US-led PG mission will sow insecurity in region'

'US-led PG mission will sow insecurity in region' Iran's defense chief says a United States-proposed coalition, which Washington purports would seek to beef up maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, will foment insecurity in the region.

Plan on protection of southern coasts to be prepared

TEHRAN – A comprehensive plan for environmental conservation and management of coastal areas in southern Iran will be prepared by the next year, Mehr news agency reported on Wednesday.