Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei instructed the armed forces to increase their military and defense capabilities to powerfully deal with threats.
"All organizations, from the defense ministry to the army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps must improve their military and defense capabilities and (increase) their military preparedness and mental readiness," the Leader said, noting, "This must be considered an official instruction."
He made the remarks in an address to a gathering of commanders and personnel of the armed forces on Sunday on the occasion of National Armed Forces Day.
Referring to the recent remarks by US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter that the option to use military force against Iran still holds, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "After a period of silence, one of their officials has recently raised the issue of the options on the table."
"While they are attempting such bluffs, they say that the Islamic Republic of Iran should halt its advances in the defense sector, which is a stupid demand."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will never concede to such a stupid demand," he said, adding, "The Iranian nation has proved that it will strongly defend itself in the face of aggression and will unite to stand up to the aggressor like a tight fist."
In his speech at Syracuse University and earlier on an NBC's program on March 31, Carter had said even if a deal is reached with Iran, "the military option certainly will remain on the table."
Underlining the high spirits of the armed forces, the Leader said, "Despite its efforts to develop its defense and military capabilities, Iran poses no threat to neighboring and regional countries."
He lamented a lack of compliance with international law among many armies around the world, particularly those of the US and Israel, citing the atrocities committed in Lebanon, Gaza Strip and Yemen as evidence.
The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have never resorted to forbidden means and methods to achieve their objectives, Ayatollah Khamenei said, stressing, "It is in line with this (policy) and its religious commitments that Iran emphasizes it is not seeking to build nuclear weapons."
He dismissed allegations of Iran's interference in the internal affairs of regional countries as "untrue", saying, "We hate those who assault civilians, women and children and we believe they are ignorant of Islam and have no conscience."
He pointed to the propaganda campaigns by the United States, some European countries and their allies to depict Iran's nuclear program as an attempt to develop a nuclear bomb and portray Iran as a "threat", the Leader said, "Today, America and the Zionist regime pose the largest menace to the world and the region," as they know no limits to their interventionist policies.
