Iran warns against provocative actions in Persian Gulf

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast warned against any provocative actions in the ongoing military drill in the Persian Gulf. The remarks came as the United States and its allies launched a major naval exercise in the Persian Gulf on Monday in a bid to deter threats in the global energy shipping waterways. A total of 41 countries participated in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX-13), which runs until May 30. The drill is the largest of its kind in the region, comprising a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international commerce and trade, as well as mine countermeasures, maritime security operations and maritime infrastructure protection. Iran's armed forces monitor every movement in the Persian Gulf, said Mehmanparast, adding that those states which are present in the drill should be careful to avoid any provocative actions. On Monday, an Iranian commander said that the country's Navy will start a minesweeping drill in the country's southern waters on Tuesday, Press TV reported. Iran Navy's deputy commander for operations, Admiral Siavash Jareh, said that the drill would be held in waters off the coast of Jask and the Strait of Hormuz. Latest and most advanced maritime minesweeping system of the country would be unveiled during the drill, Jareh was quoted as saying.