Khamenei: The likelihood of military conflict is nonexistent

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic states that while there is no likelihood of military conflict from a 'political' standpoint, the armed forces must enhance their capabilities. According to the official website of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he made these remarks on Sunday (September 2) during a meeting with commanders and officials of the Air Defense Headquarters of the Islamic Republic Army, which is recognized as a 'very sensitive' part of the armed forces and at the 'forefront of confronting enemies.' Khamenei called for an increase in the 'readiness and capabilities of air defense and its personnel.' He stated that although 'from a political calculation, the likelihood of military conflict is nonexistent,' the 'armed forces must continuously enhance their human and equipment capabilities with vigilance and efficient management.' In various periods, American and Israeli officials have not ruled out the option of attacking Iran, but current U.S. officials have emphasized that their intention is not to overthrow the Islamic Republic and are calling for dialogue with its leaders. Meanwhile, the President and military commanders of Iran have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to renewed U.S. sanctions. However, Admiral John Richardson, the operational commander of the U.S. Navy, has warned Iran that the United States will maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by any means necessary. On August 13, Khamenei referred to statements made by U.S. officials, saying: 'Recently, the Americans have been shamelessly talking about us. Besides sanctions, they mention two other things; one is the issue of war and the other is negotiation. They raise the specter of war to scare the timid. In the matter of negotiation, they are playing a trivial game.' On Sunday, Khamenei continued his remarks by emphasizing the strengthening of the armed forces to the personnel and commanders of the Air Defense Headquarters. The Mehr News Agency reported on Sunday that Amir Mohammad Ahadi, strategic advisor and head of international affairs at the Ministry of Defense, also stated in a gathering of foreign military attaches in Tehran that 'new plans of the Ministry of Defense include enhancing ballistic and cruise missile capabilities in various types, achieving new generation fighter jets, and heavy and long-range surface and underwater vessels with diverse weapon capabilities.' The Air Defense Headquarters of the Islamic Republic Army is one of the four forces of the Iranian army, and in early June of this year, the Supreme Leader changed its commander. According to his decree, Alireza Sabahi-Fard, who is 54 years old, replaced Farzad Esmaili, who had commanded this military unit since 2010. The air defense unit was previously part of the Air Force but was ordered to become independent by the current Supreme Leader in 2008. Khamenei also made several significant changes in the Islamic Republic Army in 2017, including the appointment of Abdolrahim Mousavi as the commander of the army instead of Ataollah Salehi. Other important military changes in 2017 included the dismissal of Ahmadreza Pourdastan, the deputy commander of the army, and the appointment of Mohammad Hossein Dadras in his place, the introduction of Pourdastan as the head of the Army Strategic Studies Center, the appointment of Hossein Khanzadi as the commander of the Navy, and the introduction of Habibollah Sayyari, the commander of the Navy, as the deputy coordinator of the army.