"Western powers are concerned about the rise of the Islamic world as a new power, and thus they are plotting to undermine, weaken or postpone the emergence of such a power," Safavi said in Iran's Northern city of Ardebil on Monday, and noted that these plots are in all the military, cultural, economic and security fields.
He pointed to the West's increasing threats against Iran, and stated, "The Westerners believe that pure Islam has developed in Iran and strengthened by the sacred defense (Iraq's imposed war on Iran in 1980s) and now it has become a role mode for the world. In fact, what has begun (against Iran) is an offensive move against the Islamic awakening."
"They consider Iran as the heart of the Islamic awakening," Safavi said.
In similar remarks in June, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said enemies of Iran are fearing the Islamic identity of the country rather than its nuclear capabilities,.
"What the enemies of Iran fear, and must fear, is not a nuclear Iran but the Islamic Iran," Ayatollah Khamenei stated, addressing a large crowd of people at Imam Khomeini's mausoleum South of Tehran on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the demise of the Founder of the Islamic Republic.
The Leader underscored that the Islamic Republic of Iran is today more powerful than ever before in its history.
irna/281
Senior Military Aide to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi underlined the growing influence of Islam in the world, and noted that the plots hatched and exercised against Muslims and Iran are part of the West's efforts to confront the waves of Islamic awakening.
News ID 182817
