Islam Times - Iraq, Saudi, Other PG States Part of Iran’s Peace Initiative: Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said regional powers including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Yemen could join a broad regional coalition to ensure security in the Persian Gulf.

"Initially, this security coalition in the Persian Gulf should include Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and possibly Yemen," Zarif said, speaking to reporters at a working breakfast with journalists on the eve of the UN General Assembly, Sputnik reported.

According to Zarif, the coalition concept, set to be formally announced by President Hassan Rouhani later this week at the UNGA, would act under the auspices of the United Nations.

In his remarks, Zarif also indicated that Tehran was not opposed to working with Russia on a concept of maritime security in the Persian Gulf. "When I attended the Valdai Forum, I proposed that Russia be involved in our concept," Zarif said.

"Many aspects of our concepts correspond to one another," the foreign minister said.

Rouhani departed for New York on Monday to attend the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.

The president is slated to deliver a speech at the 74th UN General Assembly meeting on Wednesday.

On Sunday, the Iranian president unveiled a new initiative for security of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, saying the "Coalition of Hope" scheme will be put forward in the forthcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

"This year, we will be putting forward a plan at the United Nations, according to which the Islamic Republic of Iran --in cooperation with the regional countries-- can ensure security in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman with the help of the region’s countries," the president added.