Iran’s highest-ranking military commander has expressed the Armed Forces’ readiness to cooperate and interact with President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration following his runoff election victory.
Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the statement in a message on Sunday as he congratulated Pezeshkian after the seasoned parliamentarian-cum-heart surgeon emerged victorious in the second round of the presidential vote on July 5.
Pezeshkian garnered more than 16 million votes against ex-nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, who secured upwards of 13 million out of over 30 million votes cast, with the voter turnout standing at almost 50 percent.
Baqeri praised in a message the high Iranian turnout as "scintillating" and described the election as a major factor in consolidating national unity and protecting the country’s independence and security against hostile plots by the enemies.
“As in the past, we announce the readiness of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate and interact with the 14th government,” the top general said.
“I hope that by further strengthening the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces, we will make a big leap in establishing the authority, deterrence power, security and defense of the sacred ideals of the Islamic Republic and our holy land,” he added.
Pezeshkian’s new administration, the 14th one after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will hold office for four years and is slated to be inaugurated and sworn in late July.
Iran Army ‘ready’ to interact with new government
In a separate message on Sunday, Iranian Army Chief Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi lauded the “fervent” presence of Iranian voters at the polls as he felicitated Pezeshkian on his presidential win.
Mousavi expressed the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army to interact with the Iranian president-elect and his government and to “use the ample and valuable capacities” of the force in the path of the 14th administration’s success.
Defense Minister congratulates Pezeshkian
Meanwhile, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani extended his congratulations to the president-elect and wished him success in fulfilling his presidential tasks during his tenure.
“I, hereby, announce the readiness of the scientists and servicemen in the field of defense and science and technology in the Ministry of Defense in all-out cooperation [with the new government] and protection of the achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Ashtiani said.
The Iranian Defense Minister also hoped that the new government will take effective steps to improve the country’s prosperity and welfare.