Iran says a European naval coalition for Gulf would send hostile message - Fars

GENEVA (Reuters) - European countries forming a naval coalition for the Gulf would send a hostile message, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Sunday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

France, Italy and Denmark gave initial support for a British plan for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, proposed after Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged tanker, three senior EU diplomats said last week.

"What you've heard, that they want to send a European fleet to the Persian Gulf sends a hostile message, is provocative and will increase tension," Rabiei said.

(Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)