"Many Photos" - Iran angrily rejects Britain's plan for a European Gulf mission

Jeremy Hunt was met with anger from Iran and mockery in parts of Europe today after he called on his continental allies to defend Gulf shipping. 

Britain's Foreign Secretary last night suggested a 'Europe-led maritime protection mission' to counter Iran's threats amid a spiralling Middle East crisis.

Tehran has made a series of threats to UK shipping, culminating in the seizure of the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. 

Today Iran warned that Mr Hunt's plan would cause 'insecurity' and warned incoming PM Boris Johnson to stay out of Iranian waters. 

Meanwhile, Europhiles in France and Belgium seized on the opportunity to point out Britain's sudden enthusiasm for European co-operation as the UK government battles to get Brexit over the line.  

Keeping watch: An Iranian Revolutionary Guard patrol boat sails in front of the Stena Impero, the UK-flagged vessel which was seized by Iranian authorities on Friday 

European leaders have so far been silent on Mr Hunt's plan, perhaps aware that his words are about to be overtaken by the UK's imminent change of government. 

Mr Hunt may well be replaced as Foreign Secretary when Boris Johnson forms his new Cabinet tomorrow.  

However, Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt - a cheerleader for European integration - welcomed what he called a 'European Naval Force'.   

His language went considerably further that the co-operation which Mr Hunt had suggested in the House of Commons yesterday., and could add fuel to the longstanding concerns of British Eurosceptics about an EU military force.  

Congratulating Mr Johnson on his victory, French leader Emmanuel Macron said he would discuss Iran with the new PM. 

His party colleague Nathalie Loiseau told the BBC: 'What I find extremely interesting when a British ship has been seized – and it’s a question of high concern in the UK and rightly – there is this reflex to call the Europeans. 

'At the very moment when you are talking about Brexit you can see we have common threats and have common ways of assessing threats.' 

Iran reacted angrily to Mr Hunt's plan.  

'There is no need to form a coalition because these kinds of coalitions and the presence of foreigners in the region by itself creates insecurity,' Iranian vice president Eshaq Jahangiri said. 

'And other than increasing insecurity it will not achieve anything else.' 

Meanwhile President Hassan Rouhani said that 'throughout history, Iran has been and will be the main guardian of security and free navigation' in the Gulf. 

Britain's foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt proposed a joint European mission last night as he condemned Iran's seizure of the UK-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday

On deck: The Stena is seen with an Iranian Revolutionary Guard boat beside it after it was captured on Friday

'There is still no adequate and lasting stability and security in the region,' he added, emphasising Tehran was not seeking to stoke tensions. 

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson that 'Iran does not seek confrontation. But we have 1500 miles of Persian Gulf coastline.' 

He also accused Britain 'of doing the bidding for the Trump administration'.  

'It's important for everybody to realize, it's important for Boris Johnson to understand, that Iran does not seek confrontation, that Iran wants normal relations based on mutual respect,' Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.     

Earlier Iranian rear admiral Hossein Khanzadi revealed that Iran's navy is acquiring new 'intercontinental drones' to monitor the oceans, as he made his sinister promise to watch Western ships. 

'We have this type of drones and we will certainly use them if necessary. These drones are being used in the vast region of the Indian Ocean now,' he said. 

The technology to track shipping may not be groundbreaking, but Iran is making the boast in a warning to the West just days after seizing one vessel. 

One Iranian general claimed that Iran is 'even ahead of the top world powers in the drones sector and we are way ahead of them'. 

Iran also said yesterday it had arrested 17 suspects and sentenced some to death after dismantling a CIA spy network, a claim dismissed by Trump as 'totally false'.   

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News Photo Iran angrily rejects Britain's plan for a European Gulf mission
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