‘Iran will not let bullying powers to undermine Persian Gulf security’

BANDAR ABBAS, March 13 (MNA) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned on Thursday that Iran would not allow “corrupt powers” to disturb security in the Persian Gulf region

Ahmadinejad, who was addressing a large crowd in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, urged the Persian Gulf Arab states to act “vigilantly and provide regional security on their own”.

Describing the presence of foreign forces in the region as the main source of insecurity in the region, Ahmadinejad said, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of fighting terrorism, however, after nine years terrorism and insecurity has spread beyond the borders of Afghanistan.

“They sent troops to Afghanistan under the name of fight against terrorism and drug trafficking. What was the result of their presence after almost 10 years in Afghanistan? ... nothing but poverty and insecurity.”

Ahmadinjead visited Afghanistan on Wednesday, where he called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country.

Ahmadinejad warned the Arab neighbors that the U.S. has stationed troops in the region to dominate their energy resources.

“We warn the countries in the region over the presence of bullying powers ... they have not come here to restore security or to counter drug trafficking,” Reuters quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.

“Iran’s message to the countries in the region is nothing but the message of friendship and brotherhood,” Ahmadinejad explained.