Tehran, March 9 -- Iran on Monday accused the United States of seeking to partition the Islamic Republic and seize control of its oil resources as part of its plans amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei alleged that Washington's actions are aimed at gaining illegal control over Iran's vast energy reserves, adding that the objective of the United States and Israel is to violate Iran's sovereignty and weaken the country.

Baghaei claimed that Iran had been engaged in diplomatic efforts and several rounds of negotiations before the escalation of hostilities and stated that the statements made against Iran by the US and Israel were attempting to...