Pentagon: Iran is the biggest security threat to the region’s stability

US CENTCOM commander Army Gen. Joseph Votel, asserted that Iran poses the greatest security threat in the whole Middle East.

Votel told the Senate Armed Committee Thursday that Iran seeks to be the regional hegemon, pointing out to its clout in Iraq and Syria, adding that Tehran is playing a pivotal role in supporting the Syrian regime and exploiting the Shiite-dominated areas to achieve this goal.

Votel testified: “In my view, Iran poses the greatest long-term threat to the stability of this part of the world.” He revealed that the US is dealing with a range of malign activities perpetrated by Iran and its proxies in the Middle East.

The CENTCOM commander said Iran seeks to be the “regional hegemony” and is using destabilizing behavior to achieve its goals, according to VOA.

He continued: “We hold Iran accountable for maritime harassment. Nobody does that.”; referring to Tehran’s pattern of harassing US Navy ships in the Arabian Gulf.

Newly elected US President Donald Trump accuses the previous administration of having a soft stance towards Iran’s calamitous role in the region, specifically in Syria and Yemen.