Not Just Missiles and Drones: National Unity Is Iran’s True Defensive Shield

TEHRAN -- When diverse segments of Iranian society set aside political, ethnic, religious and cultural differences to unite around the nation and its interests, the scope for foreign enemies to exploit divisions is minimized.

National defense is not limited to missiles, drones or warships. A nation’s “defensive shield” consists of a combination of physical and non-physical factors. Strategically, national unity is the foundation of that shield. Without unity, even the strongest weapons cannot protect a country. 
National unity ensures that during crises such as sanctions or military threats, the population stands alongside the government and defense structures rather than engaging in aimless protest. Officials call this “national resilience” – a phenomenon which was on full display during recent wars involving the United States and Israel.
Since February 1979, the Islamic Republic has faced constant foreign intervention and pressure, particularly from the United States and the Zionist regime, due to its geopolitical position, strategic resources and regional role. 
The enmity of these adversaries continues to target Iran and its people. These threats have targeted national security and independence, but recent events have demonstrated that unity, cohesion, solidarity, resilience and national security are more vital than ever.
Both of Iran’s leaders since the revolution have consistently urged the nation to move toward unity and national cohesion. The founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, believed that “unity is the main pillar of the survival of Islam and the revolution.” 
His view of unity went beyond a moral recommendation to the level of strategic necessity. He stated that division and discord are the primary tools of arrogant powers seeking to control Muslim countries. 
He repeatedly emphasized that sowing division and creating rifts in the ranks of Muslims is more dangerous than any war, because its goal is to destroy will and faith.
Martyr Leader of the Islamic 
Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei considered the use of rumors, deception, infiltration and similar methods – what is today called “soft war” – to be the enemy’s policy. 
He said the enemy’s goal is to demotivate and disappoint the people and create doubt among the nation. However, the Iranian nation has shown that in difficult arenas wherever its presence and help are needed, it stands firm and disappoints the enemy.
National security includes political, economic, social and cultural security. Enemies seek through broad sanctions, negative media campaigns and political threats to affect people’s livelihoods, social cohesion and sense of security. 
Their goal is to weaken internal stability and reduce public trust. In such sensitive conditions, national unity and social cohesion are essential, as internal divisions can become a factor in increasing the country’s vulnerability.
Muhammad Kazem Anbarlooie, deputy secretary-general of the Islamic Coalition Party, said that engaging in unconstructive political disputes not only does not help resolve the country’s fundamental problems, but can also increase social fractures and reduce national cohesion.
Fadahussein Maleki, a member of parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, said if Iran maintains cohesion and resolves the people’s problems, reducing pressures will lead to increased public resilience. 
“Who would have thought that the Iranian people would stand against two nuclear powers and push them back on many fronts?” he said. “Today, the Iranian nation is recognized as a major power in the world.”
One cannot speak of national solidarity without acknowledging the role of the masses, intellectual elites and the media. These three elements play a decisive role in strengthening national unity. 
The people, particularly the younger generation, through their awareness, sense of responsibility and national spirit, can guarantee the sustainability of the country’s independence. 
The defensive shield of missiles, drones and military forces serves as the body and armor of a vehicle, but national unity is its fuel and engine. Without fuel and engine, heavy armor is merely an immobile metal mass. 
Strengthening national unity is therefore part of engineering the country’s defensive shield.