Enemy in great fear at rising Iran power: Ayatollah

Tehran: Iran's top leader declared on Sunday that "enemies in great fear of this rising power" were behind an "unprecedented onslaught" of condemnation of the Iranian presence in the region.

"Despite all conspiracies and in spite of the enemy, the power of the Islamic Republic will continue to increase on a daily basis," Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, told senior commanders of Iran's Armed Forces. The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Maj-Gen. Mohammad Baqeri, was among those present.

Ayatollah mentioned power, security, dignity and having adequate capability in time of need as the main goals of the Iranian Armed Forces, noting that all the activities conducted by those forces must be aimed at achieving their predetermined goals.

Ayatollah Khamenei's comments followed his verbal assault on Wednesday against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the latter's acknowledgement of Israel's right to exist during an interview with an American magazine.

"Movement toward negotiation with the cheating, lying, and oppressive regime [Israel] is a big, unforgivable mistake that will push back the victory of the people of Palestine," leader said. "With an intense and planned struggle, they should force the enemy [Israel] to retreat toward the point of demise."

Ayatollah Khamenei has always insisted that the liberation of Palestine is the primary global duty of Muslims.

"The return of dignity and power to the Islamic nation is exclusively linked to resistance--while confronting arrogant powers and their wicked plots--and the issue of Palestine is at the top of Islam's international agenda in the face of the arrogant front," he stated recently.

In 2011, Iran leader published a 416 page book entitled "Palestine" in which he set out three reasons why Israel ought to be considered an illegitimate regime: its alliance with the the US," its occupation of Jerusalem, Islam's Third Holy City, and its status as a 'hostile infidel' (kaffir al-harbi) waging war on Muslim nations.

"The Zionist entity is another dirty page in history which will be closed with the permission and assistance of Allah the Exalted," leader wrote.