Iran says its defence power no threat to neighbours

Iran's growing military power is not a threat to any country, including its neighbours, the Iranian government said Tuesday, amid reports that the US is partnering with Gulf Arab states to counter the Islamic republic.

"Iran's defensive might is rather a guarantee for peace and stability in the region," Xinhua quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as saying while reacting over the reports that the US and Arab states in the Persian Gulf region are cooperating against Iran's "missile threats".

The US has asked Iran to include its missile programme as a topic in the ongoing negotiations about Iran's nuclear programme, but the Islamic republic has resisted any attempts to discuss the programme.

US President Barack Obama and other top officials have assured their Gulf Arab allies that "Iran will not acquire or develop nuclear weapons".

These remarks by US officials are signs of their "old policy of creating difference among the states in the region", Afkham said.