TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Nowshahr, northern Iran, on Saturday stressed that Iran’s armed forces will carry out their duties in defending the country with reliance on their ability and on people’s affection for them.

Ayatollah Khamenei, addressing the graduation ceremony of the first joint college course of Iran’s armed forces, said Iran’s armed forces will continue to play a major role in the resistance of the Iranian nation by relying on their efficiency, expertise, self-reliance, faith and bravery.

“The personnel of Iran’s armed forces should strive to make the Iranian army stronger day by day with a feeling of ability, commitment, and innovation and by relying on their own capabilities,” he said.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the animosity of world hegemonic powers toward Iran arose out of this fact that their hand had been cut short off Iran’s resources.

“With the grace of Allah and the solidarity of the Iranian nation with the officials, and by relying on the affectionate connection between people and the armed forces, any animosity toward Iran from now on will have none but despair for the hegemonic powers,” he said.