Iran calls for formation of 'Islamic military organization'

Iran's defense minister on Saturday called for the formation of a joint military organization among Muslim states, Press TV reported. "We have proposed the establishment of a military organization comprising Muslim countries' armed forces in order to defend the rights of the oppressed people" including Palestinians, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was quoted as saying. Muslim states should not be third-rate powers, but must turn into one superior military power and do not allow any aggressor to think about invading Islamic countries, said the Iranian defense minister. According to the report, Iran first called for the establishment of a defense treaty among Muslim countries in August 2012, with its defense minister saying that "If a strong and strategic defense alliance is formed among Muslim countries to defend Palestine, the Zionist regime (of Israel) will have no choice but to accept the resolve and demand of the Palestinian nation." On Saturday, Vahidi described Israel as "the worst enemy" of Islamic countries and called for their unity against it.