Iran rejects GCC claims of meddling in internal affairs, claims it is the sole protector of the Gulf

“The only power which can provide for the security in the region is the Islamic Republic of Iran and the world is slowly understanding,” said Admiral Ali Fadavi, the Guards’ top naval chief, quoted by the website of the Bushehr provincial governor’s office (ostb.ir). He added that the reinforced US navy presence in the waterway is behind regional instability.

Tehran has often denounced the deployment of “foreign forces”, especially US ones, in the Gulf he said. 

Earlier, Iran rejected accusations which claim that the Islamic Republic is meddling in the internal affairs of its neighboring Gulf states, arguing that these countries 'seek to divert attention from the demands of their people'.                

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast said in a statement on Tuesday that reiterating those claims will not change the facts in the region.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), on Sunday reiterated its allegation of Iranian “interference” in some of their internal issues. The GCC includes  Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The GCC also voiced its support for the UAE in a dispute with Iran over three Gulf islands claimed by both countries.

Mehmanparast dismissed the island issue, saying that the islands of Abu Musa, and Greater and Lesser Tunbs are inseparable parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will remain so.”