REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEHRAN -- Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called on Wednesday the nation to form a parliament that can stand up to the United States.

"Iran needs a brave and conscientious parliament which is aware of its responsibilities and can resolutely face the United States, " Khamenei said alluding to Friday's upcoming parliamentary elections.

Parliament must be cognizant of the revival of powers and enemies once driven out of Iran, Khamenei was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

He dismissed the rhetoric that Iran's elections are divided between pro and anti-establishment forces, deeming it enemy propaganda and an outright "lie."

The coming Iranian parliament needs to be committed to resolving the peoples' problems and must not be deceived by enemy maneuvers, he said.

As for Iran's economy, the next parliament needs to focus on the country's internal capabilities, he added.

Iranians will participate in two important elections, that of Parliament and the Assembly of Experts' on Feb. 26.

Of around 12,000 registered candidates, 6,229 qualified candidates are competing for 290 seats in Parliament.

Parliament members will be elected by peoples' direct votes for a four-year term.

Also on Friday, 166 candidates will run in elections to win 88 seats in Iran's Assembly of Experts.

Iran's assembly is an analytical body of Islamic theologians known as Mujtahids who are elected for eight year terms and are responsible for electing, removing and supervising Iran's Supreme Leader's actions.

The peoples' direct vote determines assembly members from a list of candidates approved by Iran's Upper legislative Guardian Council body.

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