Khamenei to Iran's Armed Forces: Don’t Settle for Any Level of Power

A picture published by Khamenei's website from his meeting with senior commanders of the armed forces in Tehran on Sunday.
A picture published by Khamenei's website from his meeting with senior commanders of the armed forces in Tehran on Sunday.
TT

Khamenei to Iran's Armed Forces: Don’t Settle for Any Level of Power

A picture published by Khamenei's website from his meeting with senior commanders of the armed forces in Tehran on Sunday.
A picture published by Khamenei's website from his meeting with senior commanders of the armed forces in Tehran on Sunday.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on the armed forces commanders to move forward in deterring the enemies and not to settle for any level of power.

Hinting at the protests taking place in the country since September, Khamenei stressed that the armed forces should be prepared and vigilant against plotters, reported Iran’s official news agency IRNA.

“Arrogant powers are waging a conflict from behind the scenes wherever it benefits them,” he said.

He added: “Paying close attention to the enemy's five- or ten-year schemes is necessary, but mid- and long-term plots should be considered and monitored.”

He stated: “The Americans had interests in Iraq and Afghanistan, but their ultimate goal was Iran, and due to the solid foundations of the revolution, they failed in their adventures as well as their ultimate goal.”

“At no stage should one ignore the enemy's machinations and plots.”

Iranian cities are preparing for a military parade on Tuesday marking Army Day.

Commander of the Air Force Hamid Vahedi said more than 40 fighter jets are set to fly in the skies over the capital Tehran, according to IRNA.

“The parade on 29th of Farvardin (April 18) will be different this year than previous ones,” he said, saying Iran boasts more than 40 types of jets, including the Saeqa, Kosar, F5, F4, F14, F7, MiG-29, Sukhoi-24.

He added that improving the expertise of pilots, evaluating the level of readiness of units, and ensuring the protection of the borders are among the other goals of the aerial parade.



US Top Diplomat Rubio, China’s Wang Speak in First Phone Call, China Says

 Newly confirmed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks next to his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio at the State Department in Washington, US, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Newly confirmed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks next to his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio at the State Department in Washington, US, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
TT

US Top Diplomat Rubio, China’s Wang Speak in First Phone Call, China Says

 Newly confirmed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks next to his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio at the State Department in Washington, US, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)
Newly confirmed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks next to his wife Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio at the State Department in Washington, US, January 21, 2025. (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi by phone on Friday, China's foreign ministry said, the first call between the two top diplomats since President Donald Trump's administration took office on Monday.

The call is the first publicly disclosed contact between an official in the second Trump administration and a Chinese counterpart.

According to a Chinese foreign ministry readout of the call, the two discussed US-China relations and Taiwan.

Wang told Rubio, a known China hawk, "I hope you would conduct yourself well and play a constructive role in the future of the Chinese and American people and in world peace and stability," according to the readout.

In his Senate confirmation hearing last week Rubio labeled China as the gravest threat facing the United States.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the talks, which come days after Trump said on Wednesday he was considering a 10% duty on Chinese imports because of Beijing’s role in the fentanyl trade.

On Thursday, at a speech to the World Economic Forum, Trump said he was expecting to do "very well" and to get along with China, but his inner circle including Rubio have different views on how to deal with China.

Last week, Xi and Trump agreed on a phone call ahead of the latter's inauguration for a second term, to create a strategic communication channel on "major issues."

During his first term, Trump quickly struck up a relationship with Xi and both men lavishly hosted each other in Florida and Beijing. But that did not stop ties deteriorating into a trade war that unleashed a series of tit-for-tat tariffs and uprooted global supply chains.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, Wang told Rubio that heads of state and China had "pointed out the direction and established the tone for China-US relations."

"The teams of both sides should implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, maintain communication, manage differences, expand cooperation, promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations, and find the right way for China and the United States to get along in the new era."

Wang also said that China has "no intention of surpassing or replacing anyone, but we must defend our legitimate right to development."

On Taiwan, he said that the island Taiwan has been part of China's territory since ancient times and China would never allow it to be separated from China.

"The United States has made a solemn commitment to pursue the one-China policy in the three Sino-US joint communiques and must not break its promise," Wang said.

"A major power should behave like a major power, should assume its due international responsibilities, should maintain world peace, and should help all countries achieve common development," he added, echoing statements US officials have made about China.