Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Iran plays a key role in keeping the security of the Persian Gulf, noting that however, the presence of non-regional forces threatens any initiative that could benefit the people of the region, EDNews.net reports citing Mehr News.

“The Persian Gulf belongs to the nations living there. Its security is the duty of these nations, and Iran with its long coastlines has a key role in keeping the security of this region,” the Leader was quoted as saying in a series of tweets on his English page, on the occasion of the National Day of the Persian Gulf.

“By God’s grace, we will do our part. This is our historical, geographical and regional duty,” he added.

The Leader also said that a “wise and rational collective policy” in favor of the people of the region cannot be achieved while foreign forces are present in the Persian Gulf.

“The Persian Gulf region can be managed by a wise and rational collective policy that benefits all Persian Gulf countries. The factor that threatens such a proper, wise move is the presence of foreign forces in the region,” he said.

Noting that “the Persian Gulf is our home and the place for the presence of the great Iranian nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei added, “The shores of the Persian Gulf and much of the Gulf of Oman, belong to this nation, and it should be present there.”

“It should demonstrate its power. We’re a powerful nation with a great history,” he said.