Iran denies claims it trespassed on Saudi territory

TEHRAN,Nov.21(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Tuesday dismissed claims of Iran’s infringements of off-shore oil facilities in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Mehmanparast made the remarks during his regular press briefing in reply to a question about the fact that the Kuwait News Agency reported on November 7 that the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United Nations, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, had written a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, claiming that last July an Iranian helicopter hovered several times over oil rig sites in the Hasba field, and on another occasion two Iranian military launches intercepted and stopped a vessel belonging to a Saudi Aramco contractor in the area. According to the report, part of the letter, the text of which was released on November 7, read, “The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reserves its right to take any action it deems fit in order to protect its waters and oil installations, and holds the Iranian authorities fully responsible for all possible consequences.” Mouallimi had also stated that the Saudi Foreign Ministry had already addressed a letter in this regard to the Iranian Foreign Ministry demanding that such incidents will not be repeated. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said, “No special activity must be carried out in the ‘forbidden zone’ between the two countries. Apparently, certain activities, oil exploration operations, had been carried out by Saudi Arabia in the forbidden border zone between the two countries, and the necessary warnings were given. And our country’s views about the fact that all countries should abide by international regulations and also agreements between two countries were conveyed to the Saudi Arabian ambassador. “We are seeking best relations and cooperation with neighbors. Naturally, disagreements that arise between the two countries over border areas can be resolved according to agreements between the two countries and countries’ commitment to (each other’s) rights. And we think that all countries can enjoy their rights in the best way possible in an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding.” The violation had been committed by Saudi companies, Mehmanparast said, adding, “It is a matter of great surprise if Saudi Arabian officials have taken a measure to pursue the issue.”