'The Sea of Oman is an international shipping route for commercial vessels, and Oman cannot accept any more militarization of the area through an increase in warships travelling through the waterways.' Omani F.M.

Tehran, Jan.14, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki at a joint press conference with visiting Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah in Tehran spoke to reporters on important issues of the day.

 In his first response to a question about Israeli military threats against Iran, Mottaki said ‘he believes the Zionist regime does not have the courage and boldness to actually carryout such an attack against Iran,’ Mehr News Agency reported. The Foreign Minister added though certain types of ‘maniacs’ should always be kept under close observation lest they act in an unexpected manner, but in reality the Israeli threats against Iran are of propagandistic nature.

In response to the assassination of an Iranian scientist in Tehran, the Foreign Minister said full investigations are underway and results will be announced to the public, soon. Also citing British government’s increasing interference in Iran’s internal affairs, the FM reiterated Tehran’s readiness to reduce diplomatic relations with London should the need arise.

The Omani top official reaffirmed Muscat’s willingness to help within the framework of the Persian Gulf Cooperation (PGC) to bring an amicable end to the ongoing crisis in Yemen. Also the Omani Foreign Minister said the Palestinian situation requires a new initiative to resolve the crisis.

Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah told reporters that sea-lanes of Oman and the Persian Gulf states must not be used for warships to perform parades and should be kept in peace and tranquillity. The strategic shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf have been littered by foreign warships trying to control the flow of nearly half of global energy supplies coming from the Persian Gulf states.

The steady supply of oil and gas is vital to Western and industrial countries’ well being.