Iran Asks West To Leave Persian Gulf

(Politico) ASSOCIATED PRESS 09/22/2019 08:02 AM TEHRAN Iran Irans president called Sunday on Western powers to leave the security of the Persian Gulf to regional nations led by Tehran criticizing a new U.S.-led coalition patrolling the regions waterways as nationwide parades showcased the Islamic Republics military arsenal. Hassan Rouhani separately promised to unveil a regional peace plan at this weeks upcoming high-level meetings at the United Nations which comes amid heightened Mideast tensions following a series of attacks including a missile-and-drone assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry. The U.S. alleges Iran carried out the Sept. 14 attack on the worlds largest oil processor in the kingdom and an oil field which caused oil prices to spike by the biggest percentage since the 1991 Gulf War. While Yemens Iranian-allied Houthi rebels claimed the assault Saudi Arabia says it was unquestionably sponsored by Iran." For its part Iran denies being responsible and has warned any retaliatory attack targeting it will result in an all-out war." Thats as it has begun enriching uranium beyond the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from over a year earlier. Rouhani spoke from a riser at the parade in Tehran with uniformed officers from the countrys military and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard beside him. The cleric later watched as marching soldiers carrying submachine guns and portable missile launchers drove past as part of Holy Defense Week" which marks the start of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980. Rouhani said Iran was willing to extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood" to Persian Gulf nations and was even ready to forgive their past mistakes."