TEHRAN – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Hussein Baqeri said on Tuesday that the country has been enhancing its defense capabilities incessantly.
In a speech at a conference of the Iranian ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in the neighboring countries, held in Tehran, Major General Baqeri said, “The Armed Forces have not stood idle even for a second in boosting Iran’s defense capabilities and deterrent power.”
Pointing to the delicate situation and the pace of developments in the region and the world, the top commander stressed the need for synergy and coordination of strategies of the Armed Forces and the foreign policy bodies.
Lauding the exemplary security in Iran, the general said the Islamic Republic’s measures, responses and strategies against the hostile moves have elevated the country’s defense industry to such a high level that the foreign powers do not dare to violate the Iranian territories.
Despite being confident about their deterrent power, the Iranian Armed Forces would never underestimate the enemy’s threats and are maximally prepared and vigilant at a strategic level to deal with the minimum threats, proportional to the status of the enemy, he added.
He pointed to the downing of a giant U.S. drone over the Persian Gulf and attacking the Ain Al-Assad Airbase in Iraq as two instances of Iran’s response to threats posed by the United States, describing them as good lessons for Iran’s enemies.
“We have never neglected the development of the country’s defense capabilities and deterrent power even for a second,” Major General Baqeri said cited.
The commander reiterated that Iran will never show aggression towards any state, but is prepared at the operational and tactical levels to give a decisive response and launch a harsh offense against the enemies if necessary.
Baqeri also said Iran is ready for closer defense cooperation with other countries, especially among its neighbors.
Pointing to the potential and capabilities created in the armed forces, he said, “We are ready to take up roles in peace and truce processes in the region and beyond, which are facing conflict and tensions”.