Iran naval exercise a threat: Baird

Toronto Sun: Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says a planned 10-day military exercise by the Iranian navy on international waters near the mouth of the Persian Gulf is an act of provocation.

Toronto Sun

By Mark Dunn, Senior National Reporter

OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says a planned 10-day military exercise by the Iranian navy on international waters near the mouth of the Persian Gulf is an act of provocation.

The exercise will take Iranian ships in proximity to U.S. vessels patrolling the area beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The area is a key shipping lane for oil and other products.

“Obviously I don’t think any of us are surprised at any of the recent actions they are taking,” Baird said about a regime known for taunting, threatening and bullying its neighbours in the Middle East.

Spurned by the West for its nuclear program, extreme Islamism, a messianic leadership, abysmal human rights record and its support of international terrorism, Baird says no one should be surprised by anything Iran does.

“We believe Iran constitutes the greatest threat to peace and security in the world,” Baird said at a news conference.

Experts fear Iran is less than a year away from producing an atomic bomb – a threat that has Israel considering air strikes against nuclear facilities.

Mark.Dunn@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @MarkDunnSun