US Call for Naval Coordination Ruled Out

The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces described as “laughable” calls by the United States for Iran to coordinate its naval activities in the Persian Gulf with US forces there. Major General Mohammad Baqeri also said on Tuesday “arrogant powers” had recently created a commotion over Iranian vessels sailing within 100 meters of US warships in the Persian Gulf waters. Based on coastal rules, he said, Iran has the right over its territorial waters in the Persian Gulf and will defend its interests there, Press TV reported. “Unfortunately, a country from the other side of the world … assumes special rights [for itself] in the Persian Gulf and says ‘Iran should coordinate with us if it wants to approach us’, which is precisely [an instance of] excessive demand,” the military chief said.  “Coordination with American aircraft carriers is a laughable matter for Iran. If terrorists conduct some kind of an attack against Iranian oil rigs in the Persian Gulf, will foreign aircraft carriers be answerable?” US officials from time to time claim that Iranian naval forces initiate “unsafe” or “unprofessional” encounters with American forces in the Persian Gulf.  The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, however, says its forces conduct regular patrolling missions in the Persian Gulf and do nothing unprofessional.