BFF-43 Zarif congratulates Johnson, warns Iran will protect Gulf

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Zarif congratulates Johnson, warns Iran will protect Gulf

TEHRAN, July 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Iran’s foreign minister congratulated Boris Johnson for winning the race on Tuesday to become the next British prime minister, while warning Britain that his country will “protect” Gulf waters.

“I congratulate my former counterpart, @BorisJohnson on becoming UK PM,” Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted amid a standoff between the two countries over the seizure of oil tankers.

“Iran does not seek confrontation. But we have 1500 miles of Persian Gulf coastline. These are our waters & we will protect them,” Iran’s top diplomat wrote.

BSS/AFP/MMA/1805HRS