Tehran, Iran, November 8
By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend:
The US defense secretary had best to refrain from making arrogant statements, and begin talking more cautiously to prevent America from becoming involved in more regional problems, such as those it is already entwined in, such as in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan said.
Dehqan urged his American counterpart not to agitate regional Arab countries, who might become involved in wars, IRNA news agency reported November 8.
The Iranian official's remarks came two days after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter criticized Persian Gulf Arab states for what he believed is their lack of resoluteness to engage in on-ground developments in Syria, Iraq, and other troubled areas in the Middle East.
"If you look at where the Iranians are able to wield influence, they are in the game, on the ground," Carter said.
"We don't like it that they're in the game on the ground, but they are in the game. There is a sense that some of the Gulf states are up there at 30,000 feet," more interested in acquiring advanced fighter jets than in building-and deploying-special-operations forces.
Carter went on to note, "It is apparent to us, and we are trying to make it apparent to the Gulf states, and some of them understand this-the United Arab Emirates is one that understands-that the reason they lack influence, and feel they lack influence in circumstances like Iraq and Syria, with [ISIS], is that they have weighted having high-end air-force fighter jets and so forth, over the hard business of training and disciplining ground forces and special-operations forces."
Dehqan, however, noted that Iran considers the US as the main cause of current troubles in the region.
"The movement of resistance against the domineering system, headed by the US, is still alive and grows more powerful every day," Dehqan stated.
"Iran seeks regional peace and stability, and has paid for it, to date," he said, adding, "We consider the region's security to lie in the lack of interference and presence of the US and ultra-regional powers."
While Western and Arab states accuse Iran of conducting military operations, especially in Syria, Tehran maintains that its activities are limited to military consultations with the Syrian Army. Iran has long said that it supports political solutions to regional crises, rather than military approaches.