BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq on Thursday renewed its stance against joining the international coalition to protect maritime navigation in the waters of the Persian Gulf, saying the military force was increasing tension in the region.
The spokesman for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Ahmed al-Sahaf that the vision of Iraq is that the formation of any military force to protect the waterways in the Gulf will give the region more complex, stressing that "the escalation between Tehran and Washington takes multiple paths, and Iraq is committed to neutrality, and seen the need Keep a safe, balanced and stable area. "
He stressed that Iraq supports the tracks of calm and balance in the region, and play its role in the success of this vision in the expression of non-accession to any military axis to secure water navigation in the Gulf, and believes that the security of the responsibility of the countries overlooking it.
He pointed out that "Iraq looks at his interests and calculations of the nature of the region and developments in the situation," stressing that "the region needs to promote a common political vision of the actors in it."
Al-Sahaf pointed out that Iraq is establishing a post-Islamic State stage, which includes being a meeting point and attraction for major investment companies. It is open to major economies such as China and others.
The idea of forming a military security alliance to protect maritime security in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab first appeared on July 9 by the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Danford, after a series of attacks on six oil tankers and the downing of Iranian air defenses reconnaissance aircraft. American, near the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington is reaching out at various levels to officials from 62 countries to discuss the formation of a military-security alliance to secure international freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea.
Countries such as Australia, Britain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have joined the US-led coalition to protect ships in the Gulf region.
The region is in a state of tension. Washington and Gulf capitals - especially Riyadh - accuse Tehran of targeting Gulf oil ships and installations and threatening maritime navigation, a charge denied by Iran, and offered to sign a "non-aggression" agreement with the Gulf states.
Iran has repeatedly warned officials that the establishment of a military alliance allegedly to ensure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "will make the region unsafe," and stressed that resolving the tension needs dialogue and not a military alliance.