Iran's FM Araghchi lashes out as CENTCOM gathers 12 nations for security dialogue

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized a regional security conference hosted by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in Bahrain. The summit brought together military leaders from 12 nations to discuss air defense and maritime security. Araghchi asserted on X that lasting peace in West Asia can only be achieved internally, without the influence of the Pentagon. He questioned the security outcomes of CENTCOM's presence in the region, stating, "Has CENTCOM brought security or insecurity to our region? The answer is clear."

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Has CENTCOM brought security or insecurity to our region? The answer is clear.

His remarks were echoed by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi. Gharibabadi dismissed the legitimacy of the US-led initiative, arguing that Western powers cannot dictate security frameworks in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Iran commands the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "Hormuz is defined under Iran's command, not CENTCOM." Gharibabadi maintained that a military summit in Bahrain cannot establish legal order or security for the Arabian Gulf.

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Our Powerful Armed Forces have proven that outsiders cannot even protect themselves. Peace in our region can only be sustained when comprehensive and inclusive, with no outside interference.

Both Iranian officials stressed that regional security must be managed by neighboring states internally, not under the military umbrella of the United States. They called for an end to interventions, the withdrawal of US forces, respect for national sovereignty, and acknowledgment of new geopolitical realities. The CENTCOM dialogue aimed to reinforce a commitment to the free flow of commerce through the strategic waterway, with participation from countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria.

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Hormuz is defined under Iran's command, not CENTCOM.