Iran's Khamenei warns against U.S. buildup in the Gulf

NICOSIA -- Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei has warned against the deployment of U.S. forces in the Gulf as Washington plans to increase its profile in the region.

"The presence of Americans not only fails to bring security to this region, it is itself a cause of instability," Khamenei said. "The Persian Gulf is surrounded by old and well-rooted nations and countries, and they themselves must control this region."

In an address to graduating military cadets, Khamenei, regarded as the most powerful man in the Islamic republic, said Iran has the right to defend against anybody that threatens Iranian security. He said Iran and its neighbors are solely responsible for security in the Gulf region.

The ayatollah said that despite the U.S. claim, the presence of the foreign forces in the Persian Gulf does not bring security, but rather it causes insecurity. "The Iranian people do not initiate any war, bloodshed, aggression or intervention," Khamenei said in remarks reported by the official Islamic Republic News Agency. "But they have proved that they act very bravely against any treacherous movement of the enemies."

His remarks comes on the eve of a meeting on Tuesday of Gulf Arab and European foreign ministers in Dubai. Diplomats said at the top of the agenda is the United Arab Emirates's dispute with Iran over three Gulf islands.

Khamenei said Iran has no aggressive intentions toward other countries. But he said Iran must be prepared to defend itself against what he termed "unstable states and governments on the eastern and western borders."

The reference appeared to be to such countries as Iraq and Turkey.

On Monday, Iranian authorities said an earthquake injured at least 28 people in the southern Fars province. The earthquake, measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale, struck early Sunday and blacked out the city of Kazeroun and surrounding villages.