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.



Germany Arrests a Lebanese Man Accused of Being a Member of Hezbollah

Mourners gather during the funeral of five Hezbollah fighters, who were killed during hostilities with Israeli forces, in the village Al-Sawana, southern Lebanon 03 December 2024. (EPA)
Mourners gather during the funeral of five Hezbollah fighters, who were killed during hostilities with Israeli forces, in the village Al-Sawana, southern Lebanon 03 December 2024. (EPA)
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Germany Arrests a Lebanese Man Accused of Being a Member of Hezbollah

Mourners gather during the funeral of five Hezbollah fighters, who were killed during hostilities with Israeli forces, in the village Al-Sawana, southern Lebanon 03 December 2024. (EPA)
Mourners gather during the funeral of five Hezbollah fighters, who were killed during hostilities with Israeli forces, in the village Al-Sawana, southern Lebanon 03 December 2024. (EPA)

German authorities have arrested a Lebanese man accused of being a member of Hezbollah and working for groups controlled by the organization in Germany.

Federal prosecutors said the suspect, identified only as Fadel R. in line with German privacy rules, was arrested in the Hannover region on Tuesday. The man is suspected of membership in a foreign terrorist organization and is not accused of direct involvement in any violence.

Prosecutors said he joined Hezbollah in the summer of 2008 or earlier and took part in leadership training courses in Lebanon. From 2009, he allegedly had leadership duties in two groups controlled by Hezbollah in the Hannover area, organizing appearances by preachers close to the party.

According to prosecutors, he was briefly a correspondent for a Hezbollah media outlet in 2017 and was tasked with coordinating building work at a mosque.

Germany is a staunch ally of Israel. It is also home to a Lebanese immigrant community of more than 100,000.