Hyderabad, May 2 -- A high-ranking Iranian Foreign Ministry official stated that "comfort, welfare, and progress of regional nations" can only be achieved once United States forces depart from the Gulf.

Hossein Noushabadi, director general for parliamentary affairs and law at the ministry, was quoted by the state-run ISNA news agency as saying that "foreigners have always cast greedy eyes" upon the maritime "asset" which he proudly claimed was "part of Iran's identity and civilisation."

Citing Iran's history of "bravery and sacrifice" in driving out colonial powers like Portugal and Britain, Noushabadi vowed that Iran will now stand firm against "the military expeditions of the world-devouring America."

Representative of Iran's Supreme...