Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) – Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi received Major General Rahim Safavi, high counselor of Iran's supreme leader, in his office in Qom on Sunday.

During the meeting, the senior cleric warned military forces to stay vigilant in the face of enemies, "Now that the end of ISIS is near in Iraq and Syria, we must not think that enemies' vicious plots are over because they will conspire new plans to pursue their unfortunate goals in our region and they will not stop their hostility."

The senior cleric added, "The reason for their continuous hostility towards Islamic world is that for many years these governments have been taking advantage of Middle Eastern countries; now that they realize their interests are at risk due to the advancements of Islamic Republic of Iran, they can't tolerate such conditions and are conspiring new plots to undermine Iran's might and stability."

Pointing out the key role of unity in recent victories of Axis of Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Syria over ISIS terrorists, the Shia scholar added, "What took place in Iraq and Syria once again proved the defining role of maintaining unity and integrity among Muslim nations. If we stand united, the enemies can't carry out their plans and they will eventually lose their hope and interests in our region."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Grand Ayatollah Makarem touched on the issue of Iraqi Kurdistan referendum for independence, slamming Kurdish leaders for their false dreams; "Iraq is stronger than ever with their military and popular mobilization forces, Separatist Kurdish forces do not stand a chance against the strong Iraqi forces."

 "As the leader of Islamic Revolution Grand Ayatollah Khamenei said, Iran will never allow the creation of a second Israel in the region," Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi concluded.