On Tuesday, after members of the UK Conservative Party elected Boris Johnson to replace Theresa May as party leader and prime minister, Iran’s foreign minister sent Johnson congratulations and the assurance that “Iran does not seek confrontation.” However, the official added that Iran “will protect” its Persian Gulf coastline.
Tensions between Iran and the UK recently escalated after the UK seized an Iranian oil tanker and Iran retaliated by seizing a UK vessel. Iran this week rejected a UK plan for a European-led maritime security force in the Gulf, with an official saying “there is no need to form a coalition because these kinds of coalitions and the presence of foreigners in the region by itself creates insecurity.”
Read more: Iran Tells Boris Johnson It Doesn’t Want Confrontation, but Will Protect Itself
