TEHRAN, June 19 (UPI) -- The Iranian government said Sunday the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz would be the best route for transfer of goods and energy.
"Transfer of commodities or energy has its own logic. It follows up an economic logic. Therefore, the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz will be the best way in this respect," said Hamid Reza Asefi, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Iranian news agency IRNA reported.
Iran has not received any offers for energy transport, the spokesman said.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Asian and the Pacific Affairs Mehdi Safari said the Islamic Republic was a "reliable energy route" given its geopolitical and geo-economic position. Iran acts as mediator between the Economic Cooperation Organization and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Safari said that Iran's permanent membership in the SCO would complete the role of Silk Road between East and West. Iran is currently an observer in the grouping.
"Iran has managed to bolster transit of goods from the Central Asian states to the countries bordering the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea and vice versa, which can have a decisive impact on the region's security, economy, stability and peace," Safari said.
