Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday called on authorities to uphold the “people’s security and privacy” in their attempts to localize social networking and messaging apps, warning that any infringement would be tantamount to a “religiously forbidden act.”
“The executive and judiciary branches should be watchful so that people’s privacy and secrets are safeguarded,” the Leader said in a meeting with senior officials in Tehran, his official website reported.
Some senior officials had recently suggested that foreign-based messaging apps would be certainly restricted, most notably Telegram, in the near future, replacing them with local peers.
They cited “national security” concerns as the reason why the foreign-based messaging services would be banned.
Hostile Powers Feel Anxious, Susceptible
Separately, in a meeting with senior commanders of the Armed Forces in Tehran on Sunday, the Leader said Iran's rising power has sown fear among hostile powers. He expressed confidence that the enemies will fail in their increasing confrontation with Iran.
"The reason behind the current unprecedented onslaught against the Islamic establishment is the rising power of the system because enemies feel threatened and have doubled their attacks," he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the country is at the pinnacle of its power. "Despite all the conspiracies and in defiance of the enemies’ ploys, the power of the Islamic establishment is of the ascending order."
Growing Threats
Iran is facing growing threats from hostile powers. US President Donald Trump has shaken up his national security team over the past few weeks, replacing national security adviser H.R. McMaster with John Bolton, a hawkish hardliner and radical proponent of military intervention in Iran, who has claimed that America should “prepare for war” to secure peace.
The irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric has created concern among experts that Washington is positioning itself for a new confrontation with Tehran.
In addition, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has called on the international community to pressure Iran economically and politically through sanctions to avoid a direct military confrontation in the volatile region.
"We must achieve this in order to avoid a military conflict, if we fail to do this, we will probably have a war with Iran in 10-15 years," Mohammed bin Salman told the Wall Street Journal last week during a three-week tour of the US to drum up support for the oil kingdom’s visibly failing policies in the Middle East. Riyadh is a fierce critic of the nuclear deal the United States and other five world powers signed with Iran in 2015 to lift some economic sanctions on the country in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.
Main Goals
Ayatollah Khamenei said the Armed Forces have been created with the primary purpose of safeguarding the country's dignity during critical junctures. He called on the military forces to train professionals and enhance their preparedness to counter any threat of aggression.
Chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri delivered a speech at the meeting and presented a report on the performance of the military units.
He said the men in uniform will continue to vigilantly carry out their responsibilities and defend the country with full force.
