Rouhani to Present Gulf Security Plan at UN

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says he’ll unveil a plan for security in the Gulf when he attends the opening session of the UN General Assembly this week in New York. “This year 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,” his website quoted him as saying Sunday during commemorations marking 39 years since the start of the Iran-Iraq war. He added: “We are not someone who will violate the borders of others just as we will not allow anyone to violate our borders.” Iran stands accused of attacking or harassing commercial shipping off its shores in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where it has impounded at least two oil tankers since the summer. Tensions were ramped up even further on September 14 by a massive, multi-pronged attack with missiles and drones aimed at Saudi Arabia’s oil refineries. An Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen claimed responsibility, but both Riyadh and Washington are blaming Tehran directly.