New Delhi: Strongly opposing any moves by the US to have a security arrangement for the Gulf, Iran on July 22 said it would not tolerate any interference by outside powers in the region, even as it accused Washington of "double standards" in dealing with terrorism.

"Any such formation (US initiated security arrangement) will not be in the interest of the peace and stability of the Gulf. But our country will support only the regional initiative in this regard and will not tolerate the interference of the US or any outside power," Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Mohsen Aminzadeh said, participating in an interactive session after a lecture on 'West Asia after 9/11' organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs.

Earlier in his lecture, the Iranian Minister said military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq within a span of two years, coupled with extensive stationing of military forces, had added to "difficulties and uncertainties" in the region.

Accusing the US of double standards, he said terrorists should not be treated on a "selective approach".

In an apparent reference to Washington's alleged backing of Islamic revolutionaries led by Ayatollah Khomeini, he said, "My country that itself was one of the biggest victims of terrorism and WMDs was given an unjust and unfair title (of being part of the 'axis of evil').

"At the same time, a terrorist organisation responsible for assassinating so many of our officials and people was given support and special treatment."

Hitting out at the US' "bullying practices" to impose its views, he said, "If this sort of adventurism continued, a variety of crisis will prevail in our region."

PTI