Imam Khamenei Calls for Strengthening Iran’s Military Power to Prevent Enemies’ Threats

By Staff, Agencies

Leader of the Islamic Revolution His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei stressed that Iran must become strong in all fields. One part is the military.

"We don’t seek to threaten anyone. Rather, our military power is for preventing the enemies’ threats. If you are weak, the enemy will dare to hurt you. We should be strong in order to prevent a war," Imam Khamenei stressed.

Imam Khamenei also told the audience: "Know that the enemy of the Iranian nation is doomed to defeat, because this enemy has taken Satan’s path. God has said, “And whosoever Allah has cursed, you will not find any helper for him.” But the helper of the Iranian nation is the Almighty, Wise God."

Iran managed to “paralyze” its enemies, Imam Khamenei told a group of Iranian Air Force commanders and personnel in Tehran Saturday. 

Imam Khamenei said the Islamic Republic has developed its own "sophisticated” means of defense in response to the enemy's use of increasingly advanced measures against Iran.

His Eminence noted that sanctions against Iran were there from the beginning and have now become intensified.

"Sanctions are literally crimes, but they can be turned into opportunities and save Iran’s economy from reliance on oil. Reliance on oil leads to ignorance of domestic potential and strengths."

Every year on February 8, Imam Khamenei receives Iranian Air force commanders and personnel to mark the historic allegiance of Iranian Air Force officers with the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini back on February 8, 1979.

The incident is viewed as a turning point which led to the victory of the Islamic Revolution three days later, sealing the fate of the US-backed Pahlavi regime in Iran.

Imam Khamenei said that “during the past regime, the Air Force was one of the closest forces to the central authority and the United States. However, the tyrannical regime was struck from this very force, which it never expected."

Imam Khamenei said “based on Quranic teachings, God strikes the enemies and assists the believers in places they never expect”.

He also stressed that “if a firm belief in this holy promise is formed in the society and officials act cleverly, threats will turn to opportunities and sanctions can turn into a factor that can save the country from its oil-dependency and many other problems”.

“Just as the Air Force has managed to design and create fighter jets on top of overhauling and repairing its aircraft and fighter jets despite US sanctions. This model can be applied to the whole country and, despite sanctions being a criminal act, such an approach can create a lot of opportunities for the country,” the Leader said.

Imam Khamenei added that “certain clever individuals in the US establishment have understood this and have said that we should not allow Iran to experience an economy without oil”.

“Therefore, they say that we should leave a path open so that the Iranian economy doesn’t become detached from oil,” His Eminence said as he urged Iranian officials to be vigilant against such a plot.

Prior to the Imam remarks, Air Force Commander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh presented a report detailing the Islamic Republic's advancements in various fields such as producing drones, smart munitions, aircraft and repairing plane engines.