The region should not become a launch pad for aggression against Iran," Larijani told a news conference in Kuwait. Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, all members of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, are home to major US military bases. Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Larijani, however, assured Gulf neighbours that Iran "does not want to inflict any harm on the GCC states," and charged that the United States was scaring the Gulf from Iran to promote its presence in the region. "I believe that for the sake of having new military bases in the region… and control over its resources, the Americans and Zionists are trying to scare the region from Iran," he said. "We feel that certain regional groups in addition to America and the Zionists are trying to create disputes between Iran and the states in the region. We will not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," he said.
Larijani is concluding a three-day official visit to Kuwait during which he met with HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and other leaders. He said he discussed with Kuwaiti officials the security situation in the region, where he "America is stirring up wars and setting fires". Kuwait has repeatedly said it opposed any military action against Iran, but has also urged Tehran to respect the resolutions of the international community.
Larijani said he had met HH Sheikh Sabah over how to strengthen and cement Iranian-Kuwaiti cooperation in political, economic and cultural areas. He added he had a meeting with HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah on ways and means of wiping out obstacles and barriers impeding closer economic cooperation between both countries. On possible Kuwaiti investments in Iran, Larijani said there are various opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation, and Kuwaiti traders can now invest in Iran.He noted that two-way specialized committees were discussing a project to supply Kuwait with water and gas.
Iranian Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said last week that Western warships stationed in the Gulf are "best targets" for the Islamic republic if its nuclear sites are attacked, Fars news agency reported. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to deliver a "crushing response" and hit US targets, including its bases in the Gulf and neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan, if Iran’s nuclear sites are attacked.
Larijani also said Washington and Israel will not "dare launch an aggression on Iran," over its nuclear program. "Israel will not dare attack Iran because it knows that if it carries out such an action, Iranian missiles will burn its lands," Larijani said. The United States and its regional ally Israel, which accuse Iran of seeking atomic weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program, have never ruled out a military option to thwart Tehran’s nuclear drive. Iran denies the charges and has continued to expand its nuclear program despite UN sanctions.
Larijani said Tehran is proud of helping the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas which fought wars against Israel in 2006 and 2008, respectively. The Iranian official said that US President Barack Obama has "failed in his policy on the Palestinian cause as the (Israeli) siege on Gaza and the construction of Jewish settlements are continuing."
