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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on the country's armed forces to maintain peak readiness, a day after rare talks between Iranian and U.S. officials in Oman.
Speaking to top military commanders on Sunday, Khamenei declared, "The Armed Forces are the country's shield and a refuge for the nation against any aggressor."
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment.
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Why It Matters
Khamenei's remarks come as Washington and Tehran seek to ease tensions over Iran's nuclear program. But despite recent diplomacy, he warned that Iran must remain vigilant amid continued U.S. threats. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is "fully prepared to act decisively" if Iran advances its nuclear program. Israel has also vowed to respond with force if needed. Tehran says its nuclear activities are solely for civilian use.
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What to Know
Condemning Western criticism of Iran's military development as hypocritical, Khamenei stressed the importance of both physical and psychological warfare, according to state media. "Alongside hardware, software readiness is very important to countering hostile efforts," he said, urging the armed forces to be vigilant not just on the battlefield. He also called for continuous improvements in areas like defense and logistics.
Talks in Oman
The talks in Oman marked the first engagement between U.S. and Iranian officials in months. Both sides described the talks as "constructive," though no concrete breakthroughs were made public.
According to officials, discussions centered on Iran's nuclear activities and regional posture. The tone was viewed as a tentative reset in a historically tense relationship, with negotiators signaling cautious progress. President Donald Trump, reaffirming the possibility of military action, said he would make a decision on Iran "very quickly."
Military Leaders Back the Message
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, echoed Khamenei's stance, affirming the military's resolve.
"The Armed Forces are fully prepared, with the support of the nation, and will leave the enemies longing for their sinister goals."
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What People Are Saying
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran: "The Armed Forces are the country's shield and a refuge for the nation against any aggressor."
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces said:
"The Armed Forces are fully prepared, with the support of the nation, and will leave the enemies longing for their sinister goals."
Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary stated: "President Trump hopes to never have to resort to a military option, but we are not naïve about the stakes."
Donald Trump, U.S. President confirmed: "We'll be making a decision on Iran very quickly."
What Happens Next
As diplomatic talks are set to continue in Rome on Saturday, Khamenei's address reaffirms Iran's position that dialogue will not come at the cost of defense. Whether negotiations progress or falter, Tehran is sending a clear message that its military readiness will not waver, with or without an agreement.
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