TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintained his drumbeat of defiance Tuesday, warning that Tehran would "cut off the hand of any aggressor" and insisting the military must be ready with the most modern technology.
Speaking to military officers at a parade marking Army Day, Ahmadinejad said, "Today, you are among the world's most powerful armies because you rely on God."
"Iran's enemies know your courage, faith and commitment to Islam and the land of Iran has created a powerful army that can powerfully defend the political borders and the integrity of the Iranian nation — and cut off the hand of any aggressor and place the sign of disgrace on their forehead," Ahmadinejad said.
The Iranian leader's comments came as tension escalated between Iran and the international community over Tehran's refusal to stop enriching uranium.
The United States, Israel and France have accused Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear weapons. Iran says it is only building nuclear facilities to generate electricity.
Ahmadinejad is thought to make such inflammatory speeches for personal as well as national reasons. As a president who was elected with only 19.5 percent of the vote in the first round, he seeks to bolster his position as well as champion a cause — nuclear power — that enjoys almost universal support among Iranians.
He also may believe that tough language projects him as a strong leader. It reflects his background in the Revolutionary Guards, where he served as a soldier during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88.
The political tone in Iran has hardened during the past two years with the defeat of reformist candidates in the parliamentary and presidential elections. While Ahmadinejad is seen as leading the charge against foreign pressure, other members of the ruling hierarchy convey the same message in softer terms.
In his comments Tuesday, Ahmadinejad said Iran's army "has to be constantly ready, equipped and powerful. It has to be equipped with the latest technologies, recognize the enemy and constantly be vigilant." He spoke to military officers before a parade of the armed forces in southern Tehran.
While threatening possible aggressors, Ahmadinejad said Iran's army would "serve peace and security for mankind especially the region and its neighbors."
The "power of our army will be no threat to any country. Our army carries the message of peace and security. . . . It is humble toward friends and a shooting star toward enemies," he said.
Former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani, visiting Kuwait on Tuesday, said that if the United States ever attacked Iran, he was certain that Kuwait — a key U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf that hosts thousands of American soldiers — would not take sides.
The comments drew no immediate endorsement from Kuwaiti officials, who have reacted to his visit with caution.
Rafsanjani said his visit was to allay Gulf nations' fears about Iran's nuclear intentions. But in fact, Rafsanjani seemed to be signaling to Gulf nations that they should not take sides in Iran's standoff with the United States.
Iran used the Army Day parade to display its latest weapons, including radar-avoiding missiles, super-fast torpedoes and other domestically produced arms.
During war games in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea earlier this month, Iran test-fired what it called an "ultra-horizon" missile that could be fired from military helicopters and jet fighters.
The missile does not use over-the-horizon targeting that other missiles require to hit targets at maximum range.
Two other new missiles and torpedoes also were tested. The United States said Iran may have made "some strides" in its military but was likely exaggerating its capabilities.
Among weapons tested in the war games and displayed Tuesday was the Fajr-3, a missile that can avoid radar and hit several targets simultaneously using multiple warheads, and a high-speed torpedo designed to sink warships.
Iran already possesses Shahab-3 missiles, which have a range of 1,200 miles and are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Israel and the United States have jointly developed the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system in response to deployment of the Shahab-3.
Iran launched an arms development program during its 1980-88 war with Iraq to compensate for a U.S. weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and a fighter plane.
Ahmadinejad has made a series of threatening statements since announcing April 11 that Iran has successfully enriched uranium using 164 centrifuges, a significant step toward large-scale production of a material that can be used to fuel nuclear reactors or to build atomic bombs.