Strait of Hormuz 0
19 October 2020

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami discussed the expiry of UN arms restrictions on Iran and maintained that “the ground for selling and buying weapons is prepared for the Islamic Republic of Iran, but of course, the sales will be more”. “There must not be an arms race, as this would turn the region into a powder keg”, Hatami emphasised, adding: “we are ready to sign military and security agreements with the countries of the Persian Gulf in order to strengthen regional stability”. He further warned that “the normalisation of relations of the UAE and Bahrain with the Zionist regime [ie, Israel] is a direct threat to the security of the Persian Gulf region”, and “any Israeli threat coming from the Persian Gulf will face a clear and direct response”. Hatami went on to affirm that “the Islamic Republic will not negotiate with the U.S. regarding its missile systems”.

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