Iran will not retreat in the face of aggression:Supreme Leader

TEHRAN,Oct.13(MNA) - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that Iran is not in the habit of carrying out acts of aggression against any other country but will not back down in the event of an attack. The Leader made the remarks during an address to a number of members of the Iranian armed forces in Bojnourd, the capital city of the northeastern province of North Khorasan, on Friday. Ayatollah Khamenei began an eight-day visit to North Khorasan Province on Wednesday. In his speech, the Leader stated, “The Iranian nation, according to the teachings of Islam, is not in the habit of committing (acts of) aggression, but it also will not back down in the face of an (act of) aggression.” “The preparedness of the Iranian nation and the armed forces and the fact that they are active on the scene have created such (a level of) glory and might that will prevent the enemy from harboring a delusion about an (act of) aggression,” he added. Ayatollah Khamenei also said that the hegemonistic powers are seeking to start wars in order to sell their weapons and stimulate the industries run by the capitalists. “The only factor that reduces power seekers’ motivation for sparking a war or eliminates this motivation is the nation’s general preparedness and the defense preparedness of the armed forces,” he noted. The Leader added, “The feeling of general preparedness among the Iranian people, particularly the youth, is stronger than at any other time, and the armed forces are much more prepared and capable than in the past. “Today, the Iranian nation feels stronger than at any other time in their confrontation with the enemies, and this feeling is based on realities.” Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s address, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, delivered a speech, in which he said, “The Sepah (IRGC) is constantly monitoring threats and has greatly enhanced its defense preparedness and its deterrence through integrating the highly professional Ground Forces with the Basij (volunteer forces), expanding its missile range, and enhancing its defensive and offensive capabilities on the sea, and has enhanced it to the level of strategic deterrence.” At the end of the ceremony, the Leader reviewed units of the Iranian armed forces on parade.