TEHRAN- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has issued a warning against bullying tactics on the international stage, stating that Iran would respond firmly to any such aggression.

During a Friday visit to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy fair, Iran's president cautioned against aggressive behavior, emphasizing the country's readiness to deliver a decisive response if necessary.

Ebrahim Raisi described the advancements as "eye-catching" and a testament to Iran's "we can" mindset.

President Raisi asserted that these advancements have served as a deterrence against Iran's enemies, leaving them " unable to act" against the nation. 

He framed the fair as a message of both self-assurance for Iranians and a warning to adversaries: "We can" for the Iranian people, "you will never can" for our foes.

The president toured various sections of the fair, including those showcasing knowledge-based industries, and engaged in discussions with local designers and experts.

During a tour of the fair, the Iranian president inspected fast-moving missile-launching vessels, long-range drones, advanced radar systems, and intelligent submarines. The visit served as a platform to showcase Iran's growing military capabilities, reiterating its stance on regional security.

President Raisi expressed confidence in Iran's advancements, declaring, "Our nation's military power is not a threat to any regional country; it serves as a guarantor of safety and stability in the region."

While emphasizing Iran's non-aggressive stance, Raisi warned against external aggression, stating, "We will never initiate war, but if attacked, the Islamic Republic will deliver a crushing response." He referenced past instances of harsh rhetoric from adversaries and their eventual recognition of Iran's military strength.

The president lauded Iran's "unbelievable" military innovations, highlighting their role in enhancing defense capabilities across land, sea, and air. 

He attributed these advancements to "the power of faith and resistance against enemies."

Iran's military is aiming for continued improvement, targeting a spot among the top 15 global powers according to the Global Firepower (GFP) index. This ambition comes alongside recent advancements in its naval capabilities.

In late January, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, announced plans to equip new domestically-built hovercraft with long-range naval missiles. He emphasized the navy's primary mission of securing Iran's maritime borders, highlighting the successful overhaul and renovation of its vessels, submarines, and aircraft by Iranian experts.

This self-sufficiency push has been a key focus in recent years, leading to the Navy's ability to manufacture both surface and subsurface vessels domestically. Additionally, Iran has expanded its presence in international waters to protect vital trade routes and ensure the safety of merchant vessels and tankers.

Three Persian Gulf islands are Iran's integral parts, Raisi says

Iran’s three Persian Gulf islands are considered to be an integral part of the country, according to President Ebrahim Raisi.

During a visit to the southern province of Hormozgan on Thursday, President Raisi emphasized that decisive and historical documentations have always supported Iran’s sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs in the Persian Gulf.

He added, “The three islands are an integral part of the Islamic Republic of Iran and we have always emphasized this issue. Anyone who has spoken or written something else anywhere should compensate for it, because definitive and reliable documents and existing records have always confirmed and emphasized the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran over these islands.”

Appreciating the efforts and endeavors of the powerful armed forces of our country, which create security for the Persian Gulf region and all its neighboring countries, President Raisi went on to say, “Iranian armed forces create security wherever they are, and the presence of foreign forces in any region only causes threats and disruptions to security.”

He also underscored the history of peaceful coexistence of the Islamic Republic of Iran with all its neighbors and countries in the region.

In the next part of his speech, the president stated that thanks to the revolution and the holy system of the Islamic Republic, many things have been done in Islamic Iran and this province in the past forty years, and the situation of the city and villages in Hormozgan has changed. “We should appreciate all the efforts of all those who have worked for the development of the province,” he said. 

Raisi also noted that Hormozgan still needs more work due to historical deprivations, adding, “In the first visit of the Popular Administration to the province, Hormozgan’s essential issues in the fields of water, health, tourism, industry, mining, agriculture and the sea were examined and we decided to fix them.”

Raisi also pointed out that good steps have been taken to resolve the water stress in the areas affected by the water shortage problem in Hormozgan province, and of course these measures will continue until the water problems of the province are completely resolved. He added, “The problem of unemployment in the province has also been resolved to a large extent.”