Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff said the country’s military will not retreat until it has “completely defeated” United States and Israeli forces. The pledge was made in a statement marking the anniversary of Iranian prisoners of war returning from Iraq in 1990. The statement was published through Fars News Agency.

The General Staff said the tradition of resistance had been passed to a new generation in Iran, which it said had stood against forces described as the world’s most heavily armed militaries. The statement also praised public support for Iran’s armed forces.

It said Iran would continue seeking what it called the country’s rightful interests until “the enemy surrenders.” The statement further accused the United States of pursuing aggression and expanding dominance in the region.