Tehran, April 14, IRNA
`Iran-Friday Prayers
Provisional Friday Prayers Leader of Tehran Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said Friday that at Iran's military power is in service of regional security.
Addressing several thousand of worshipers at Tehran University, the Friday preacher said neighboring states would also benefit from security in the region.
He congratulated the Iranian nation on successful performance of the latest military maneuver, dubbed the Great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), staged by Iran at Hormuz Strait and Iran's success for laboratory production of fuel.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran has joined the world's nuclear countries, adding that Iran has completed production of nuclear fuel at laboratory scale and produced enriched uranium with the purity needed for a nuclear power station on April 9, this year.
Jannati said, "The world should understand message of the successful military exercise." He addressed the Westerners as saying, "Open your eyes and ears.
"This maneuver conveyed this message to enemies not to think of any attack on Iran and know if they launch any aggression, it will bring regret and sorrow for them.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is not a weak country. It will not yield to the Westerners and by relying on its young and innovative people and with respect to its military, technical and scientific power, it will turn any aggression on Iran to defeat of enemies.
"Iran is not Iraq and Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran is being administered under its spiritual leader thanks to grace of Almighty God.
"His guidelines brought such successes for the country." The secretary of the Guardian Council added, "Enemies should know Iran cannot be compared with any country in the world."
He proposed April 9 to be named as "National Day of Technology", saying the day is more important than Day of Oil Nationalization (March 20).
The cleric addressed neighboring states as saying, "We are Muslim and are duty-bound not to oppress any Muslim. Do not help them (the enemies), please."
He added Iran's nuclear success was coincided with anniversary of breaking off ties with the United States and addressed the US, saying, "You are weak. You see just today but you do not see tomorrow." Jannati said, "Access to nuclear fuel cycle is the beginning of our path and experience. Iran has long way to industrialization." Pointing to the US disgrace in Iraq, he said, "The US assertion on democracy was a lie. Washington intends to prevent establishment of a popular government in Iraq.
"The US seeks to rule a government in that country (Iraq) which is dependent on it." The Friday prayers leader expressed hope these plots would be neutralized through vigilance of the Iraqi nation and guidelines of sources of emulation particularly Ayatollah Sistani.
Moreover, he praised holding the Third International Conference on Holy Qods and Support for the Rights of Palestinian People, which kicks off on Friday afternoon with inaugural speech of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
"We should provide more help for the Palestinian people. Muslims should speak of oppressed Palestine and Israel's bullying." He expressed hope such moves would bear fruits and Palestinians would liberate their occupied territories.
My apologies. The article posted in #247 was dated April 14th, not May 12th. Please disregard. - OB1