Commander: Iran Under Pressure by West Because of Pioneering Role in War on ISIL

TEHRAN (Defapress)-"The Islamic Republic of Iran is under political, economic and security pressure by the US and certain western and regional countries due to its pioneering role and efforts against terrorism and its direct role in defeating the self-proclaimed ISIL rule as well as its commitment to international rules and independent positions on the regional and international issues," General Nezami said in a meeting with an Omani military delegation in Tehran on Saturday.

He described reinvigoration of Iran's defense power to defend its national interests and security as an essential right, and stressed, "The Iranian Armed Forces will powerfully respond to any threats by enemies."

In relevant remarks last Monday, Lieutenant Commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami blasted the western states' demands from Iran to stop production of missiles and military equipment, stressing that the country never bows to pressures.

"The enemies want us disarmed while they threaten us; this is an immoral, irrational and ambitious demand," General Salami told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony in Tehran.

He described missiles as Iran's defense capitals and the main element of its deterrence power, and said, "We may never agree to be disarmed of our deterrent capability."

Also, in February, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reiterated his country's firm opposition to any kind of negotiation on its military and missile capabilities, saying Tehran wanted talks on the West's boundless sales of destructive weapons to certain regional states.

"Given the historical experience (of the 8-year Iraqi-imposed war supported by the western states) against Iran's national security, the Iranian people are sensitive to any related issue and they truly and correctly believe that the country's defense power is not negotiable," President Rouhani said in a meeting with Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Sigrid Kaag in Tehran.

"Meantime, we are interested in holding talks with our friends about the extensive sales of destructive weapons to the regional states, mainly by the western states; specially sales of the deadly aircraft and missiles which are used to kill and displace people and destroy the residential areas and infrastructures in Yemen," he added.

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