‘Islamic Republic capable of responding to any threat’, cleric

A top Iranian cleric Friday prayer leader from Iran’s Golestan province has hailed the country’s military capabilities in face of adversaries referring to the major military drill in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province hosting ten Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states.

Hujjat-ul-Islam Sayyed Mohammad Delbari, Friday prayer leader of Aliabad‑Katul, in an interview with Taqrib News Agency (TNA) said the Islamic Republic has reached a level of military capability that enables it to respond appropriately to any threat from enemies and adversaries.

Referring to the successful holding of the major Sahand 2025 military exercise, he stated: “This exercise sends a message to partners and international actors that the Islamic Republic of Iran is capable and ready to guarantee the security of these vital economic and civilizational routes against any terrorist threat.”

According to him, the naval drill of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman emphasizes Iran’s sovereign right to use its own waters at the international level.

Delbari stressed that national cohesion sends a clear message to the enemy that their victory is impossible here.

He added: “Unity is the only definite formula for preventing war and ensuring victory. If you want war not to happen, or if it does, to win, you must be united and cohesive.”

He noted that national unity and support for the government are the most effective weapons against enemy conspiracies. “At a time when enemies have risen with all their power against Islamic Iran, division and lack of support for the government is tantamount to playing into enemy’s hand” he said.