Iran’s supreme leader argued Sunday that America’s armed forces will never be powerful like those of the Islamic Republic because religion isn’t a component of U.S. warfighting.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was meeting with high-ranking commanders in Tehran to urge not only an increase in military might but a greater focus on the Islamic Revolution in military matters.
“In the Islamic Republic establishment, the main task (assigned) to the Armed Forces is to defend national security boundaries, therefore the operational capability and spiritual motivations of these forces must be upgraded on a daily basis,” Khamenei said, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
He argued that militaries designed to just protect the state are limited in scope and can act — as he said the U.S. does — with “militarism, irrationality, and ruthlessness.”
The ayatollah insisted that Iran is the most “effective” fighting force because of the Islamic motivations woven into military strategy.
Khamenei tweeted some of his thoughts, as well.
Main feature of Iran’s Armed Forces’ ‘collective identity’ is ‘military & operational capability’ &‘religious & spiritual reasons’ together.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) April 10, 2016
Main duty of Iran’s Armed Forces is defending borders of national security; operational capability& spiritual motivations must be empowered.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) April 10, 2016
In some countries military forces are ceremonial, decorative & without operational capability & only serve survival & security or rulers.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) April 10, 2016
US army’s act in #Iraq & #Afghanistan is a good sample of an army with merely military aspects. pic.twitter.com/esVqHLlUOg
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) April 10, 2016
Only armed forces both ‘ideological’ with spiritual motivation & ‘efficient’ & working in a ‘politically independent’ country is in #Iran.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) April 10, 2016
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