Iranian Armed Forces afraid of no enemy: Defense minister

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says the Islamic Republic is determined to boost its deterrent power, stressing that the Iranian nation, particularly the Armed Forces, are not fearful of any enemy.

The Iranian nation is standing bravely and strongly against enemies who have so far failed to achieve any of their demands, Hatami said on Sunday.

He added that the Iranian Armed Forces have strategic defense capabilities, saying the country has managed to improve its deterrent power by relying on its young and faithful experts and will defend its national security wherever a threat is posed to it.

The Iranian defense minister emphasized that the country’s Armed Forces enjoyed the capability to defend the security of regional countries.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Hatami stressed that the security of regional countries was interwoven, noting that all countries in the region must work to maintain regional stability and peace.

“Today, we are honored to call for the maintenance of regional stability and security,” the Iranian defense minister said.

In a meeting earlier this month with a group of senior commanders of the Iranian Armed Forces, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said enemies of the Islamic establishment are in fear of the rising power of Iran, but are not able to do anything to curb it.

The Leader mentioned power, security, dignity and having adequate capability in time of need as the main goals of the Iranian Armed Forces, noting that all the activities conducted by those forces must be aimed at achieving their predetermined goals.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in November pledged full support for the country’s Armed Forces in defending the Islamic Republic’s independence and territorial integrity.

“The [Iranian] government and nation have confidence in the Army as faithful and self-sacrificing Armed Forces and the government will continue its support for the Armed Forces,” Rouhani said in a meeting with high-ranking Army commanders.

Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and hardware during past years.

The Islamic Republic says its military power poses no threat to other countries and is merely based on the doctrine of deterrence.