Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani has warned western nations to stay away from the Gulf area, alleging that their presence and interference has brought calamity to the region.

Rouhani, who was speaking as the country carried out military parades as part of ‘Holy Defence Week’ which marks the start of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980 said security would be improved if western nations were to distance themselves from the Gulf region.

“If they (US and Western countries) really want security for the region, they should distance themselves from here,” Rouhani told crowds who had gathered in Tehran.

He added: “Your presence has always been a calamity for this region and the farther you go from our region and our nations, the more security would come for the region.”

Mr. Rouhani further announced that Iran would present a plan to the United Nations which he says will bring an end to insecurity in the Gulf region with the help of other countries.

“We will present a plan to the world at the United Nations that the Islamic Republic of Iran, in cooperation with the countries of the region can create security for the Persian Gulf and the Oman sea with the help of the countries of the region.” 

Iran, which has boosted its naval cooperation with China, India, Oman, Pakistan, and Russia in recent years had in the last few month seized or attempted to seize several ships in the Strait of Hormuz which it accused of violating the rules of safe passage or smuggling fuel.

The development has also prompted the US and UK to send more ships and military personnel to the Gulf. This is even as Saudi Arabia and the US have also accused Iran of launching drone attacks on  Saudi oil facilities.

Tehran has however denied involvement in the attack which Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claimed to have launched.