Iran Demands Foreign Military Withdrawal From Persian Gulf

Iranian officials are calling for the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the Middle East, arguing that external powers are the primary cause of regional instability. Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, stated that security in the Persian Gulf must be established by regional states without external intervention, asserting that the presence of foreign powers does not provide actual security.

These demands follow a period of intense conflict that began February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iranian military, nuclear, and energy infrastructure. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes and imposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz. The hostilities lasted 40 days and concluded with a memorandum of understanding signed on June 18 via Pakistani and Qatari mediation.

Ali Akbar Velayati, Senior International Affairs Adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, claimed the defeat of the United States and Israel reinforced the necessity of a foreign exit. While the memorandum ended active combat, negotiations for a final agreement have since stalled. The primary points of contention remain maritime security and navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials suggest that regional security talks may resume once stability returns and cooperation between regional countries increases.