Iran hits back at Saudis over accusations

Iran's foreign ministry has gone on the offensive after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Tehran of carrying out last week's oil tanker attacks.

Iran has accused its main regional rival Saudi Arabia of adopting a "militaristic, crisis-based approach" for accusing Tehran of carrying out last week's attack on two oil tankers at the entrance to the Gulf.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday urged the international community to take a "decisive stand" over the attacks - but said the kingdom did not want a war in the region.

"Salman's charges against Iran in various situations are a continuation of Riyadh's misguided approach and attempts to escape the problems brought on by their own policies," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, according to state TV.

"Saudi Arabia has poured out the wealth of its people and countries in the region with a lack of proper understanding of the region's variables with a militaristic, crisis-based approach."

Iran has denied any role in Thursday's strikes south of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping and transit route.

The attacks on the two tankers, which the US also blamed on Iran, have raised fears of a broader confrontation in the region.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Monday that countries must co-operate to keep shipping lanes open for oil and other energy supplies to ensure stable supplies.

Iran said it was in charge of security in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and urged US forces to leave the region.

"We have always said we guarantee the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz," secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani was quoted as saying by the state broadcaster IRIB.


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Source: AAP


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