Japan has no right to interfere in China's maritime research activities in the waters near Okinotori Reef, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday. Mao made the remarks in response to a media query about the presence of a Chinese maritime research ship in waters near Okinotori Reef.
"Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Okinotori Reef is classified as a reef, not an island, and therefore cannot generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. Japan's claim of an exclusive economic zone based on Okinotori Reef violates international law. The activities of the Chinese scientific research vessel in the waters near Okinotori Reef represent the exercise of freedom of the high seas, and Japan has no right to interfere," said Mao.
Japan has no right to interfere in China's activities in waters near Okinotori Reef: FM spokeswoman
Japan has no right to interfere in China's activities in waters near Okinotori Reef: FM spokeswoman
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.
At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.
Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.
The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.
Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.
Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.
Iran swears to counterattack if attacked
