Iran held military exercises in the Persian Gulf in April (Fars)
October 29, 2006 -- Iran says it is not worried about naval maneuvers to be led by the United States off its coast this week.
From October 30, warships from the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Britain, France, and Italy will take part in the operation to simulate inspection of ships carrying illicit weapons-related materials.
The Iranian Navy's commander, Admiral Sajjad Kuchaki, was quoted as saying Tehran is watching the vessels closely.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Husseini said Iran did not believe the maneuvers constitute a threat, and that security in the Persian Gulf is maintained by regional states better than any other country.
Husseini also made a call for Persian Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Iran, to protect their interests within a regional collective security pact.
(Fars, IRNA, AFP, Reuters, AP)
DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE: As the United States and the European Union increase pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program, Tehran has launched a wide-ranging and ambitious diplomatic offensive, including high-level state visits with countries including China, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan. In May, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad participated in a high-profile summit of the so-called Developing 8 (D8) group of countries in Bali. Below are some links to RFE/RL's coverage of Iran's efforts to boost international support for its position.
The Iranian Navy's commander, Admiral Sajjad Kuchaki, was quoted as saying Tehran is watching the vessels closely.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Husseini said Iran did not believe the maneuvers constitute a threat, and that security in the Persian Gulf is maintained by regional states better than any other country.
Husseini also made a call for Persian Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Iran, to protect their interests within a regional collective security pact.
(Fars, IRNA, AFP, Reuters, AP)
Avoiding International Isolation
Avoiding International Isolation
DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE: As the United States and the European Union increase pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program, Tehran has launched a wide-ranging and ambitious diplomatic offensive, including high-level state visits with countries including China, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan. In May, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad participated in a high-profile summit of the so-called Developing 8 (D8) group of countries in Bali. Below are some links to RFE/RL's coverage of Iran's efforts to boost international support for its position.
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