Khamenei calls for stronger Iranian military to deter enemies

[IceWizard]

Thu Oct 1, 2015 | 7:29 AM EDT

DUBAI (Reuters) -
Iran's supreme leader called on the armed forces on Thursday to increase their capabilities in order to protect the Islamic
Republic's influence in the Middle East and
deter would-be attackers.

"The armed forces must urgently increase their
readiness, so that the enemy dare not think of
attacking," Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iranian
agencies in a meeting with army commanders.

Khamenei often invokes an unspecified
"enemy" when talking about Western powers,
particularly the United States and Israel, which
he suspects of plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

Tensions have also been on the rise between
Iran and Saudi Arabia, and Khamenei on
Wednesday threatened a "harsh reaction" if
Saudi Arabia showed disrespect to hundreds of Iranians killed in the kingdom during a
stampede at the haj pilgrimage.

The two powers trade frequent criticisms and
back opposite sides in a series of conflicts
across the Middle East, but have held back from overt confrontation.

Saudi Arabia warns of Iranian expansionism,
whereas Tehran says it is a peaceful power but insists on its right to influence in the region.
"The future of the country is in the hands of its
youth, who must recognise their strength and
help tomorrow's Iran be more capable, powerful, and influential in the region and the world," Khamenei said.


(Reporting by Sam Wilkin; Editing by Catherine
Evans)