Russia must not help West destabilize Persian Gulf: Iran Parl. speaker

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has urged Russia not to contribute to the West’s “dangerous” geopolitical schemes aimed at destabilizing the Persian Gulf.

According to Press TV, Qalibaf made the remarks at the beginning of an open parliamentary session on Sunday, in reaction to a recent joint statement by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) and Russia that challenged Iran’s sovereignty over the three Islands of Bu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.

He said the Parliament “strongly rejects” the PGCC-Russia joint statement, emphasizing that Iran is very serious about its territorial integrity, which has been preserved with the blood of hundreds of thousands of youths.

“Russia, which is itself a victim of the geopolitical expansionism of the West and NATO and is fighting against it, should not assist the West with its geopolitical scheme to destabilize the Persian Gulf,” he said.

“As the sole guarantor of stability in the Persian Gulf, Iran is neutralizing the West’s dangerous plots in this critical region.”

Qalibaf also noted that regional stability and economic development are possible only through honoring the principles of good neighborliness and respecting Iran’s territorial integrity.

“Our Russian neighbor should know that the path of cooperation goes through respecting the red lines of the Iranian people, including the territorial integrity and the continuation of Iran’s sovereignty over the three Islands of Bu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs,” he asserted.

“Authentic historical documents prove that these islands belong to Iran and that political statements cannot distort historical facts… Iran’s authority in these islands is the guarantor of the Persian Gulf stability in the face of the US hegemony.”

The Iranian nation, he said, expects Moscow to demonstrate its economic and strategic partnership with Tehran in its political and media positions to enhance mutual trust.

ME