TEHRAN, Dec. 6 (MNA) -- The Middle East is currently in dire need of peace and security and this ideal can be achieved through the withdrawal of occupying forces from the region and cooperation among regional countries, Major General Yahya Safavi, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), said on Monday.

Speaking on Students Day at the graduation ceremony of the IRGC Air Science and Technology Academy, Safavi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a regional power and the foreign forces currently in the region cannot ignore Iran’s influential role in regional political developments.

 

Pointing to the Islamic and revolutionary characteristics of the Iranian nation, Safavi said Iran is a very powerful country in the Middle East and Asia.

 

Iran’s Armed Forces including the Army, the IRGC, and the well-trained ten-million strong Basij (volunteer) forces are prepared to defend the security and political interests of Iran.

 

Commenting on the U.S. attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan, he said U.S. unilateralism is doomed to failure.

 

In reference to the upcoming election in Iraq, Safavi noted that the Iraqi nation should freely elect their national parliament, which will be a stepping stone for the formation of a comprehensive government in that country.

 

He went on to say that the Iraqi election should be strictly monitored by the United Nations in order to prevent the interference of foreign forces in the process.

 

The Islamic nations’ awareness, unity, economic power, access to modern military industries and technologies, and unique geo-strategic position have become a real source of concern for Washington, the IRGC commander noted.

 

Safavi also expressed hope that the world’s Muslim nations would spare no effort to foster unity among themselves.

 

SA/MS/HG

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MNA