TEHRAN: Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said Monday Tehran is serious about "maintaining deterrence" in Gulf waters, after accusations it was behind a deadly tanker attack off Oman last week, charges it denied.

"The Islamic republic is very serious about providing security and maintaining deterrence in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman region and will confront elements that deprive the region of its security," Raisi said in an hour-long phone call with France's President Emmanuel Macron, according to the Iranian presidency's website.