The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces said that Iran is ready to constantly protect its interests and security in the Persian Gulf.

Iran PressAsia: Addressing professors and students at China’s National Defense University in Beijing on Thursday, the Joint Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri referred to the country’s defense doctrine, saying, “we have never started any invasion or war and will never do such thing but we will resolutely defend our security and sovereignty against any aggression or intervention by foreign countries.”

Major General Bagheri added that Iran defends the strategy which focuses on the active participation of all countries of the region to build a corporate regional security structure, reported Iran press.

“According to this policy, Iran won’t stand the hegemony and interventions of transregional powers in the regional issues,” Iran’s senior military official stressed.

The security of the Persian Gulf

“From Iran’s point of view, the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Sea of Oman must be safe for energy exports, which the world needs,” he noted, adding, “of course, this security should only be provided by the Persian Gulf States.”

Major General Bagherifurther described the presence and deployment of US and Western military troops as escalating factors that sows more insecurity.

Respecting Iranian people rights, the only way in nuclear talks

Pointing to Iran’s Nuclear Deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Major General Bagheri said: “Although Iran is abiding by its commitments to JCPOA, in case the other signatories to the pact don’t do the same, Tehran will restart all its peaceful nuclear activities.”

He went on to say that in the nuclear talks there is no other way than returning to a logical interaction while respecting the rights of the Iranian people by the other countries.

Iran’s Iran’s missile capability, a defensive measure

Referring to the country’s missile program, the Iranian top commander described the missile capability of the Islamic Republic as a defensive measure against persistent threats which the country has been facing.

“We are living in a region where the Zionist regime is armed to the teeth and even has nukes and continues making threats against the nations of the region, especially Iran, and dozens of US and Western forces are showing aggressive behavior and some regional regimes such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE invest billions of dollars annually to buy advanced weapons,” Bagheri said.

“In this situation, the country has no other choice than maintaining its defensive capabilities at the highest possible level to ensure its security and deal with any possible situation. This is a totally logical and defensive approach,” he continued.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Bagheri arrived in China on Wednesday for a three-day visit to China upon official invitation of his Chinese counterpart.

Establishing a joint military commission, visiting China's industrial and scientific centers, and giving a speech at the PLA National Defence University are also on the agenda of the top Iranian commander.

205/214/203

Read More:

Iran ready to transfer expertise to China National Defence University: Top commander

Tehran-Beijing defense cooperation expanding significantly: Iran's top commander