Interests of Iran, Persian Gulf Arab states are linked: IRGC Navy chief

February 7, 2012 - 16:31
TEHRAN – Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Naval Force Commander Ali Fadavi has said that the interests of Iran and the Arab states lying on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf are greatly interlinked.
 
“Today, the countries in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region are …in a sensitive situation and the interests of individual countries are intertwined, and for a durable security in the region we have no alternative other than interaction and preventing treasonous interference by foreign countries,” Fadavi told the visiting Omani Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis Bin Abdullah al-Raisi on Tuesday. 
 
Fadavi said Iran’s policy is based on interaction with the Arab states in the Persian Gulf region. 
 
“Our policy is based on interaction and cooperation with countries in Persian Gulf region in line with common interests,” Fadavi noted. 
 
Fadavi went on to say that Iran’s military and defense capabilities have reached a degree that can repel any aggression.
 
The remarks by the top IRGC Navy commander comes as the U.S. and its allies have threatened to use military action against the Islamic Republic for its nuclear program despite the fact that Iran has right to develop nuclear technology as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
 
Rear Admiral Fadavi also said the U.S. intends to involve certain Arab countries in its “dangerous game” in the Middle East to achieve its goals and push through its “satanic policies” with the financial assistance of Arab countries. 
 
For his part, Omani Royal Navy commander described relations with Iran as good and brotherly and said Oman believes that “regional countries can take steps toward meeting common interests in an atmosphere of interaction and cooperation.” 
 
In a meeting on Monday, Omani Navy Commander Abdullah bin Khamis bin Abdullah al-Raisi and Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari called for cooperation in defense areas.