Iran's armed forces chief of staff has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran's military power poses no threat to the countries of the region.

"The Iranian armed forces' power is only meant for defending the country and safeguarding the national interests, and is not a threat to the neighbors and regional countries," Maj.-Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi said on April 19.

He emphasized that today the Iranian armed forces are at the height of power and preparedness.

Commenting on the U.S. military presence in the region, he said that they have sent military forces to the region, especially to Iraq, to have easy access to the oil reserves and other natural resources.

He also described Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Bahrain as "wrong, hideous, and non-Islamic."

"By this mistake, Saudi Arabia dealt a heavy blow to its own security," he said.

Source: Mehr, Iran, April 19, 2011