Tehran:

Iran has "categorically rejected" the United Arab Emirates' allegation that Tehran had launched ballistic missiles towards the Gulf state, calling the claim "baseless" and harmful to regional trust and security efforts. Iran's Foreign Ministry said such "baseless accusations" should be avoided as a principle of "good neighbourliness".

But Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz -- through which shipping leaving UAE ports must pass to exit the Gulf -- will remain closed until it reaches a peace agreement with the United States.

In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran has "categorically rejected" the UAE's claim, saying such claims disrupts ongoing efforts to strengthen regional peace.

"This behaviour is contrary to the principle of good neighbourliness and disrupts ongoing efforts to strengthen trust between regional countries and prevent the escalation of insecurity in the region," Baghaei said in a statement posted on the Ministry's Telegram channel.

Calling regional countries to refrain from making "baseless accusations" against Tehran, Baghaei said the current situation in the Middle East was already complicated due to what he described as actions by the United States and Israel against regional peace and security.

"... Refrain from making baseless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, considering the existing complexities due to the ongoing evils of the US and the Zionist regime against regional peace...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxOZllrNTd2MUFpYUcwV1Z2NFNE...