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Iran's Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned a proposed US-backed multinational task force to protect shipping in the Red Sea would face "extraordinary problems", official Iranian media reported on Thursday.
Mr Ashtiani's comments came after the US said last week it was in talks with other countries to set up a task force after a spate of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea.
"If they make such an irrational move, they will be faced with extraordinary problems," Mr Ashtiani told the official Iranian Student News Agency.
"Nobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance," he said, referring to the Red Sea.
Mr Ashtiani did not specify what measures Iran was prepared to take in response to the setting up of a US-backed Red Sea task force.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington has been in talks with other countries over forming a "maritime task force ... to ensure safe passage of ships in the Red Sea", but did not give further details.
The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have waded into the Israel-Gaza conflict by attacking vessels in vital shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel more than 1,600km from their seat of power in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
American and French navies have strengthened their presence in the Red Sea to protect vessels from possible seizure or attack by the rebel group.
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
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