Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday called on the armed forces to enhance their preparedness to force enemies to back off, adding that Iran has thwarted hostile plots in the region.
"Increase your power as much as you can because your power deters the enemy and forces it to retreat," the Leader said at a graduation ceremony for Navy cadets in the northern city of Noshahr, Mazandaran Province, his official website reported.
"The Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation with their resistance have shown that if a nation is not intimated by bullies and their threats and relies on its own capabilities, it can defeat the superpowers and force them to retreat," he added.
The United States has stepped up its rhetoric against Iran in recent months following its decision to unilaterally pull the plug on Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers and reimpose sanctions that had been suspended under the historic deal.
Ayatollah Khamenei said US enmity toward the Islamic Republic has roots in Iran's strong resistance against bullying powers, particularly the US and Israel, adding that they are anxious about the rise of a Muslim power in the region.
Regional Instability
He criticized attempts by outsiders to cause instability and insecurity in different parts of the world, especially West Asia. "Arrogant powers, led by the oppressive US, have it in their interest to create civil wars and abet and increase heinous terrorist acts and regional conflicts. Unfortunately some regional countries are assisting them."
The Leader said Iran is a target of propaganda attacks by Washington and its lackeys since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 but has become stronger over time and succeeded in foiling their conspiracies in the Middle East, namely in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
"Political analysts and intellectuals in the world are amazed and acknowledge the fact that Iran, by relying on God and national power, has managed to prevent global powers from achieving their objectives in the region," he said.
