Iran’s armed forces are closely monitoring hostile powers’ activities in the region, including in Iran’s border areas, and are ready to counter possible aggressions, a military commander said.
“Iran’s air defense is on the alert for foreign powers’ military moves and fully prepared to counter any threats against the country,” said Abdollah Reshadi, commander of the northeastern air defense unit, according to state-run Press TV.
Israeli leaders, who have repeatedly accused Iran of working toward building nuclear weapons, are warning publicly that time is running out for a military strike that could stop the Islamic republic from pursuing that aim. On Feb. 5, President Barack Obama said on NBC News that “our preferred solution is diplomatic but we’re not going to take any actions off the table.”
Iran, which says its nuclear activities are designed to ensure electricity for its growing population, is under four rounds of United Nations sanctions and additional restrictions imposed by the U.S. and European Union.
Iran doesn’t recognize Israel as a legitimate state and Iranian officials have said it is bound to collapse. Iran backs the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which it describes as “resistance” groups and the U.S. and Israel classify as terrorists.
“Wherever there is cruelty, there will be resistance, and wherever there is resistance, we will be there,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said at a conference in Tehran today. He said Iran “isn’t seeking to rule the world or dominate anyone.”
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