Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest 'baseless' PGCC-US claims

Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned the chargé d'affaires of Switzerland, which represents Washington’s interests in Tehran, to protest "baseless" allegations leveled by the United States and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

According to a Friday statement by Iran's Foreign Ministry, the Swiss chargé d'affaires was summoned on Thursday to express Iran’s "strong protest and condemnation" of a joint statement issued following the ministerial meeting of the United States and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council in New York on Tuesday and the US acts of provocation.

The ministry reiterated Iran's determination to "defend its territorial integrity, and protect its security and interests against any threats posed by the US government in connection with maritime security and commercial shipping."

"Iran will take the necessary strategies in this regard and to secure its national interests," it said.

Based on its wise approach to safeguard security and stability in the region, the statement added, Iran would never allow the US to plunder regional assets and resources through the continuation of its Iranophobia policy. The Swiss envoy assured that he would convey Iran’s message to American officials, it noted.

The US-PGCC statement renewed their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

It accused Iran of proliferating unmanned aerial vehicles and other dangerous weapons that pose a grave security threat to the region and called on Tehran to stop its activities in this regard.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, which are entirely meant for defense.

MG