Russia has called on the US and Iran to exercise restraint in the Persian Gulf

30 April 2020


Russia calls on the United States and Iran not to succumb to provocations and to exercise maximum restraint in the Persian Gulf,
the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing.


"We would like to emphasize that Moscow has always considered stability and security in the Persian Gulf as one of the key factors that affects the situation in a broader regional context. Our well-known initiative on collective security in the region is based on this logic. We call for maximum restraint and caution, not to succumb to provocations and aggressive rhetoric, and, of course, to act strictly within the relevant international norms and rules," the diplomat said.


Earlier it was reported about several incidents involving American and Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf.


The Central command of the US Navy, in particular, reported on April 15 that Iranian boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) maneuvered dangerously near American warships – "clipped" them at very high speed and close range.


In turn, the IRGC reported that this was preceded by two consecutive provocative interceptions by American ships of an Iranian warship.


Subsequently, US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the Navy to destroy Iranian boats that interfere with the passage of American ships.


The armed forces of Iran also threatened to fire on American ships in case of threats.

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Anton Novoderezhkin / TASS