US general urges unity to counter Iran designs
TEHRAN’S DESTABILISING ACTIONS, EXTREMISTS MAIN THREATS TO REGION
It is imperative to enhance and integrate our capabilities for our mutual national security interests.”
General Joseph Votel | US Central Command chief
US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel urged the Gulf Arab states yesterday to unite against Iranian efforts to “destabilise” the region.
“Two of our enduring security threats are present in this region — the destabilising actions of Iran and violent extremist organisations,” said Votel, who heads US forces in the Middle East, ahead of a military conference in Kuwait yesterday.
At the conference, Votel said that the US would not move away from the region or its partners in it. “The priorities of the US Central Command here have not changed,” Votel said as he took part in the conference of the military chiefs of staff of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt, Jordan and the US Central Command.
Iran is fomenting trouble in the region by creating sectarian strife in Bahrain. Iran is also backing the Al Houthi militia in Yemen who have unseated the legitimate government from the capital Sana’a. Iran on several occasions also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway.
Kuwait has said it is considering US proposals for a regional alliance to counter Iranian influence. “The most important topic of this meeting is joint military action, which aims to strengthen cooperation in order to face present and future challenges threatening the GCC countries,” Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Lt. Gen. Mohammad Al Khudher was quoted as saying.
The United States warned Iran on Tuesday it will “respond swiftly and decisively” to any attacks by Tehran’s allies in Iraq that result in injury to Americans or damage to US facilities.
The statement by the White House press secretary accused Iran of not preventing attacks in recent days on the US Consulate in Basra and the American Embassy compound in Baghdad.
“Iran did not act to stop these attacks by its proxies in Iraq, which it has supported with funding, training, and weapons,” the statement said.
“The United States will hold the regime in Tehran accountable for any attack that results in injury to our personnel or damage to United States government facilities.
“America will respond swiftly and decisively in defence of American lives,” the statement said.
Iran blames US policy
Iran described as “astonishing” yesterday US accusations that its allies in Iraq were responsible for attacks on US diplomatic missions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi blamed the unrest on US support for “groups which have spread and promoted violence and extremism”.
“The US government must be held accountable for its years of support for these groups,” Ghasemi told the semi-official ISNA news agency.
“America should know that by playing such clumsy blame games, it cannot cover up the consequences of its wrong, fruitless and destabilising policies in the region.
“Issuing such statements lacks credibility, and is astonishing, provocative and irresponsible.”
On Friday, three mortar shells landed inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, where the US Embassy is located, but they caused no casualties or damage, the Iraqi military said.
The mortar attack was the first such one in several years on the Green Zone, which houses parliament, government buildings and many foreign embassies.
The US Consulate in Basra is near the airport, which was attacked by rockets on Saturday. No damage or casualties were reported.
Protesters in Basra angry over political corruption ransacked and torched Iraqi government buildings last week. The Iranian consulate was set alight by demonstrators shouting condemnation of what many see as Iran’s sway over Iraq’s affairs.
On Friday, three mortar shells landed inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, where the US Embassy is located, but they caused no casualties.