Iran accuses Qatar of "intensifying bloodshed" in Syria

Source  :  Trend.Az

Iran has accused Qatar of "intensifying the bloodshed" in Syria, IRNA reported quoting Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdullahian.

"It is in Qatar's interest to stop making hasty actions and intensifying the bloodshed in Syria,"Amir-Abdollahian said.

Amir-Abdollahian also critiqued Qatar for enabling an opposition bloc to open its first embassy in Doha.

Syrian opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib, whose group is recognized by the Arab League as the sole representative for Syria, opened the embassy in Qatar on Wednesday.

"The people of Syria will never allow others to make decisions for them," he said.

Shi'ite Iran has strongly supported Assad in a two-year-old conflict that began with peaceful protests and turned into an armed revolt in which some 70,000 people have been killed.

Iranian City Exports Foodstuff to 70 States

Source  :  Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The city of Savojbolaq in Alborz province, West of Tehran, exports 35 percent of its produced foodstuff to 70 countries of the world annually.

Governor of Savojbolaq Ali Haddadi told the Islamic republic news agency that the city supplies some 2.5 million tons of foodstuff on domestic and foreign markets annually.

He said some 130 industrial foodstuff units involving 5,000 workers are active in Savojbolaq.

Haddadi stressed that three economic and trade teams have been dispatched to international markets with an aim of fostering non- oil exports.

China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Turkey, South Korea, Turkmenistan, Pakistan and Azerbaijan are the main importers of non-oil products from Iran.

In February, Head of Iran's Customs Office Abbas Me'marnejad had told FNA that the value of Iran's non-oil trade with the outside world has exceeded $85bln during the first 11 months of the current Iranian year.

Also in February, Head of the Exports Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Asadollah Asgaroladi said that his commission plans to equalize the volume of the country's non-oil exports and imports in the next Iranian year (starts March 21).

"If we are due to import goods worth about $60bln to $65bln, the country should have the same amount of exports," Asgaroladi said.

Iran slams silence on chemical weapons use in Syria

Source  :  http://old.mehrnews.com/

TEHRAN, March 24 (MNA) – An Iranian deputy foreign minister has criticized the silence of international community following the use of chemical weapons by militants against the people of Syria.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdullahian slammed the silence of the international community and said, “Using chemical weapons against Syrian people and police is a very painful event.”

“As the biggest victim of chemical weapons, Iran strongly condemns using of these weapons by terrorists and extremists in Syria who act under the disguise of opposition,” Amir-Abdullahian added.

At least 25 people were killed and 86 others injured after militants fired missiles containing poisonous gas into Aleppo’s Khan al-Assal village on March 19. Women and children were among the victims.

The attack came after Syria’s opposition coalition, known as the Syrian National Coalition, chose a Syrian- born American citizen, Ghassan Hitto, as the prime minister of what they call an interim government.

The Syrian crisis began in mid-March 2011. Many people, including large numbers of security personnel, have been killed in the violence, and several international human rights organizations say the foreign- sponsored militants have committed war crimes.

The Syrian government says the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants fighting the Syrian government are foreign nationals.

MYA/EA MNA END

1819108

Supreme Leader warns Israel against any possible threat

Source  :  IRNA

Tehran, March 21, IRNA – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned on Thursday the Israeli regime against any wrongdoing against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in his address to a large crowd in the holy shrine of the eighth Shiite Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northern city of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi province on Thursday.

ˈThe leaders of Israel sometimes threaten Iran, but they know that if they do anything wrong, the Islamic Republic raze to the ground Tel Aviv and Haifa,ˈ the Leader said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Supreme Leader pointed to the recent calls by the American statesmen for resumption of ties with Iran, and said, ˈIt is good for the US statesmen to understand that due to their attempts, situation is reached to a level that whenever it is spoken about the enemy, the name of US suddenly comes to oneˈs mind.ˈ

ˈThe US President (Barack Obama) speaks of Iranˈs economic problems in his official speech as if he is talking about his own victory while he does not speak about the great victories of the Iranian nation,ˈ Ayatollah Khamenei added.

Iran’s Navy 24th fleet docks at Sri Lankan port

Source  :  http://old.mehrnews.com/

Iran’s Navy 24th fleet docks at Sri Lankan port

TEHRAN, March 21 (MNA) – The 24th fleet of Iran’s Navy has docked at a port in Sri Lanka after patrolling Southeast Asia's Strait of Malacca and successfully conducting its mission in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Commander of the 24th fleet of Iran’s Navy, Capitan Seyyed Omid Golestaneh, said the flotilla anchored at the Port of Colombo -- the largest and busiest port in Sri Lanka - on Thursday. He added that the armada conveys the message of peace and friendship to regional countries, Eastern and Southeastern Asian states in particular.

The Iranian Navy’s 24th fleet of warships, comprising Sabalan destroyer and Kharg helicopter carrier, docked in Zhangjiagang port on March 4 after sailing 13,000 kilometers in 40 days.

In recent years, Iran's Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for Iranian merchant vessels and tankers.

In addition, in line with the international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting anti- piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.

Iran, South Africa Discuss Expansion of Bilateral Ties

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran and South Africa called for the further expansion of bilateral ties in all arenas between the two friendly states.

The issue was raised in a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and South Africa's newly appointed Ambassador to Tehran William Max Whitehead in Tehran on Saturday.

During the meeting, Salehi said that Iran and Africa have various capacities for broadening ties in all fields, especially in the commercial and economic sectors.

Salehi hoped that Tehran-Pretoria ties will further bolster during the new ambassador's term.

Whitehead, for his part, said that South African government is willing to develop economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Referring to Iran's status in the region, he voiced South African government's interest in promoting cooperation in various areas with Iran.

In July, South African President Jacob Zuma underlined his country's willingness to further increase bilateral relations with Iran.

"We are willing to expand our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran," President Zuma said.

He made the remarks during a ceremony marking the induction of new ambassadors from Iran, China, Russia, Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Vatican and Chad in South Africa's capital of Pretoria.

Iran's new ambassador to South Africa, Mohammad Faraji, submitted his credentials to President Zuma in the capital Pretoria, and expressed the hope that friendly relations between Tehran and Pretoria would further expand.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration has striven hard to maximize relations with the African continent.

Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.

The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states.

FM: Iran ready to cooperate with EU

Source : Trend.Az

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that Iran is ready to cooperate with EU and waits for practical changing in the US behavior.

Mehmanparast told Fars News Agency that European Union has an independent and high capacity and it should not have a manner that put its independency under question.

Responding to a question about four rounds of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 in Istanbul, Baghdad, Moscow and Almaty during the current solar year, which will end on March 19, Mehmanparast said that before the Almaty meeting, P5+1 had offered several proposals that have at least two problems, first, those proposals don't recognize Iranians' rights and second, their proposals were not practicable.

Mehmanparast did't give detailed information about proposals, but said that in Almaty meeting P5+1 position become closer to Iran's position and this can be a start point for achieving mutual understanding and results.

Regarding Iran and the US relations, Mehmanparast said that Barak Obama has changed the heads of Departments of Defense and State during his second presidency term, this was recognized by Iran as a good step taking into account that Obama said that he wants to change the US policy. "But, Obama should take a practical step to prove his claims.

He went on saying the United States should stop interfering in Iran's internal affairs; meanwhile it should respect Iran's rights and have logical behavior towards Iran.

Iran successfully test-fires missiles in country's center

Source :  Trend.Az

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 14 /Trend S.Isayev, T. Jafarov/

Iran has successfully test-fired "Naziat-10" and "Fajr-5" missiles today morning during the military exercises in the country, IRIB News reported.

The missiles were successfully launched, and the targets were hit, according to the field reports.

Naziat 10 is a short range missile, capable of hitting targets as far as 130 km.

Fajr-5 is an artillery rocket developed by Iran in the 1990s. The system is part of the Fajr family of rockets.

According to Mehr news agency, the exercise was attended by Army chiefs, chiefs of General Staff, and other senior military commanders.

The missiles were launched as part of the one-day military excercises, which are taking place in Iran's Kashan region, Maranjab.

Iran to launch new advanced destroyer

Source :   Tehran Times

TEHRAN – The domestically manufactured Jamaran 2 destroyer will be launched in the Caspian Sea in the near future, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi announced on Tuesday.

Brigadier General Vahidi said the Jamaran 2, which is a destroyer of the Moj class, had been designed and manufactured by the experts at the Marine Industries Organization of the Iranian Defense Ministry.

Iran’s first domestically manufactured destroyer, the Jamaran, was launched in February 2010.

The warship can carry helicopters and is equipped with torpedoes and an electronic radar system. It is 94 meters long and weighs over 1,500 tons. The destroyer is capable of engaging in surface, air, and undersea warfare.

Iran’s latest destroyer, the Sahand, was launched on September 18, 2012.

The Iranian Navy has also announced that Iran plans to build seven destroyers of the Sina class, which are capable of firing missiles.

AM/PA

Iran repelled U.S. reconnaissance aircraft: general

Source : Tehran Times

The reconnaissance plane which intended to enter Iranian airspace on February 10, the commander of the Khatam-ol- Anbiya Air Defense Base said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Brigadier General Farzad Esmaeili said, “Around midday on (February 10), a U-2 reconnaissance plane, which is radar- evading, received our warning in the Gulf of Oman before approaching Iranian borders.”

“The plane responded and heeded our warning, and immediately flew away from our borders,” he said.

The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed Dragon Lady, is a single- engine, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. It provides day and night, very high- altitude, all-weather intelligence gathering.

Esmaeili also said, “This plane is highly advanced… The mission of this type of plane is to gather information about the targeted countries.”

“Our radar systems and electronic surveillance systems were constantly monitoring the plane until it reached the middle of the Gulf of Oman and the southeast of the Strait of Hormuz… And when it intended to enter Iranian airspace, the Persian Gulf radar sent a warning to it, and the plane said that it is one of the planes of coalition forces and that it will keep away from the Islamic Republic’s borders,” he explained.

“Most probably, the plane intended to take film and gather information in the south of the country,” he added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Esmaeili said that if any foreign plane intended to enter the country’s airspace and ignored warnings, it would be regarded as a hostile aircraft, and Iranian fighter jets, air defense systems, and missile systems would deal with it.

AM/PA

Japanese deputy FM calls Iran-5+1 talks ‘positive

Source : Tehran Times

TEHRAN – Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki has hailed talks between Iran and world powers to resolve disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program, describing them as “positive.”

The most recent round of talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on February 26 and 27 during which the two sides agreed to meet again at the same venue on April 5 and 6 after holding expert level talks in Istanbul on March 18.

“The talks were constructive and useful, and could create trust between the two sides,” Saiki said during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran on Sunday.

He also called for an expansion of ties with Iran in all areas.

The Iranian foreign minister underlined deep-rooted and friendly relations between Iran and Japan, calling for bolstering the relations given the economic and political potential of the two countries.

Saiki’s visit to Tehran “will have a positive effect on enhancing the relations” between Iran and Japan, Salehi noted.

He also urged Japan to use its high status in political and international arena to help resolve global issues.

MT/PA

Iran to build refineries in African states: source

Source :   Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Iran has come to terms with Algeria, Angola, and South Africa to build small refineries for them, the Fars news agency quoted an informed source as saying.

Iran has also been holding talks with Pakistan to establish refineries there, the source said, adding the two sides will hopefully ink a deal in the near future.

The chairman of the union of Iranian exporters of oil derivatives, Hassan Khosrojerdi, has said that building refineries in other countries can be effective in boosting Iran’s crude oil export and even oil products.

In September 2012, Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said Iran is considering the construction of small refineries in some African countries.

On the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran in last August, Qasemi negotiated with oil buyers, including India and some African and Central Asian states, on oil export conditions in the future.

He also said exports of domestically-made oil equipment as well as engineering services were discussed with oil buyers.

In November 2012, Qasemi said that Tehran has overcome the tough economic sanctions on the country and the oil industry is heading toward development.

In July 2012, Qasemi said that although the West has imposed sanctions on the Iranian oil, the country’s oil exports will never be halted because oil consuming countries need Iranian crude.

Iran manufactures anti-explosive devices for CNG cars

Source :   Trend.Az

Iran started manufacturing special anti-explosive devices for CNG-run cars, ISNA reported.

A company founded by the Science and Technology Center of Iran's Hamadan province is engaged in manufacturing the devices, which should be installed in all CNG-run cars.

The CEO of Hamadan's Science and Technology Center, Davood Esmaili revealed some details about how the device functions, and how it can prevent a possible explosion.

"This is a CNG explosion-proof system. The device is installed in the car, and it measures the amount of gas leakage. Upon measurement, it sends signals to the driver, indicating there is a threat," Esmaili explained.

He further said that in general there are two problems with CNG-fueled cars, one is placing flammable elements in the trunk of the car near the CNG tank, and another one is the gas leakage.

Esmaili underscored that in the first case the problem can be handled, while the second issue still remains important, thus special devices are being manufactured to prevent possible explosion.

According to Iranian media sources, there were about 78,000 dual-fuel cars in Iran back in 2005, and now this figure has grown up to some 2.5 million cars.

Currently, there are around 12 Iranian companies that supply local markets with natural gas.

In order for Iran to decrease dependency on gasoline, and use natural gas as transportation fuel, more CNG fueling stations are planned to be built.

Currently there are only about 1,800 CNG fueling stations in Iran, and this number is planned to be increased to 2,000.

The Natural Gas Vehicle Organization has reported that of total NGVs worldwide, Iran accounts for more than 18 percent - holding the first place in the world.

NAM calls for nuclear talks with Iran without preconditions

Source :  Tehran Times

TEHRAN – In a statement read out at a meeting of the 35- member International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors in Vienna on Wednesday, the Non-Aligned Movement emphasized that the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program should be resolved diplomatically through talks without preconditions.

“Diplomacy and dialogue is the only way to find a long-term solution to Iran’s nuclear issue, and negotiations should be pursued without any precondition,” part of the statement read.

The statement also welcomed Iran’s decision to continue cooperation with the UN nuclear agency and emphasized that the countries’ right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes should be respected.

The Iranian ambassador to the IAEA delivered a speech at the meeting in which he defended Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and said that the UN nuclear watchdog’s demand for access to the Parchin military site was unjustifiable.

“The agency’s director general’s repeated call for access to the Parchin before the conclusion of a modality is unjustifiable and has made the issue seriously politicized,” Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh said.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano told its 35-nation governing board on Monday, “Providing access to the Parchin site would be a positive step which would help to demonstrate Iran’s willingness to engage with the agency on the substance of our concerns.”

The IAEA has called on Iran to sign and implement a structured approach document to resolve the issues and has stated that gaining access to the Parchin military site, which is located southeast of Tehran, is a priority for the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran has made it clear that access to the conventional military site would not be possible before an agreement is reached on the structured approach document.

EP/PA

NAM Renews Support for Tehran's N. Rights

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), in a statement, extended full support for Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

In the statement, NAM member states voiced their support for Iran's peaceful nuclear program, and said diplomacy and dialogue are the only solution to Iran's nuclear issue.

NAM statement which was read in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday afternoon, stressed that NAM underlines inalienable rights of all countries for development, research, production and use of atomic energy for peaceful goals without any kind of discrimination and upon lawful obligations.

The statement said NAM expresses its appreciation for Director General of IAEA Yukiya Amano for his report concerning implementation of safeguard agreement by Iran and for his impartiality and professionalism of the secretariat of the agency in its activities about implementation of Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in Iran.

NAM confirmed again immunity of peaceful nuclear activities, and called any kind of attack or threat to attack against nuclear installations as violation of international laws and principles of the UN Charter and regulations of IAEA.

NAM persuaded secretariat to refrain from publishing technical details concerning sensitive information in the director general report.

It welcomed constant cooperation between IAEA and Iran, as it was mentioned in the latest report of the director general.

NAM is comprised of some 120 member states and 17 observer countries.

NAM is an international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. NAM is the largest grouping of countries outside of the United Nations.

NAM member states represent nearly two-thirds of the United Nations' members and comprise 55% of the world population, particularly countries considered to be developing or part of the Third World.

Iran received NAM rotating presidency at the opening ceremony of the NAM summit in Tehran on August 26 from Egypt for a period of three years.

Washington and its Western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.

Despite the rules enshrined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entitling every member state, including Iran, to the right of uranium enrichment, Tehran is now under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions and the western embargos for turning down West's calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment.

Tehran has dismissed West's demands as politically tainted and illogical, stressing that sanctions and pressures merely consolidate Iranians' national resolve to continue the hran has repeatedly said that it considers its nuclear case closed as it has come clean of IAEA's questions and suspicions about its past nuclear activities.

Iran ups oil swap capacity to 500,000 bpd in Caspian Sea

Source :   Xinhua

TEHRAN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran has increased its oil swap capacity in the Caspian Sea region from 200,000 to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd), Press TV reported on Sunday.

The Islamic republic plans to further develop the coastal infrastructure at its northern port city of Neka, situated some 200 kilometers to the north of Tehran, and raise its oil swap capacity, said th report.

The development plan is projected to increase the oil swap capacity of the Neka terminal to 1.5 million and 2.5 million bpd in coming years.

According to the report, Iran imports oil from Central Asian countries to be refined at Tehran and Tabriz oil refineries and then delivers an equivalent amount of oil to potential buyers in the Persian Gulf.

Ahmadinejad receives Moallem: Dialogue only solution to Syria crisis

Source : http://theiranproject.com

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem in Tehran Saturday evening, stressing that national dialogue is the sole solution to the crisis in Syria.

Ahmadinejad said that violence and interference in Syria should end and the two sides should reach an understanding by dialogue, highlighting that this is the only humanitarian and wise solution which is hoped to take place as soon as possible.

He expressed hope that security and stability would return to Syria, so that people can start rebuilding operation and normal life.

Walid al-Moalem presented a report on the latest developments in Syria and said that the country is facing a wide global conspiracy led by the United States of America and the Zionist regime.

By Al-Manar

Iranian Air Force Overhauling Strategic Mig-29, F-4 Fighter Jets

Source : Fars News Agency

Iranian Air Force Overhauling Strategic Mig-29, F-4 Fighter Jets TEHRAN (FNA)- The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) is overhauling different types of aircraft, including the strategic Mig-29 and F-4 fighter jets.

According to IRIAF public relations office, Lieutenant Commander of Iran's Air Force Mohsen Darrebaqi on Saturday visited the overhauling operation of Mig-29 and F-4 aircraft underway in Shahid Laskhari air base.

In August 2012, a Mig-29 fighter jet of the Iranian Army conducted its test flight successfully after being overhauled by local experts.

The aircraft which was down for 12 years could experience its first flight after it was overhauled at Shaheed Fakouri air base in Iran's Northwestern city of Tabriz, which took 21,000 man/hour of work.

The Iranian experts spent 24 months to overhaul the strategic fighter jet and mounted three types of modern electronic systems onto the aircraft in a bid to increase its technical and backup capabilities.

Iran and India are friendly countries: Larijani

Source :  Tehran Times

TEHRAN – Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has called for the expansion of ties with India, especially in economic areas, emphasizing that Tehran and New Delhi have friendly relationship.

Larijani, while on a five-day visit to India, made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) Speaker Meira Kumar on Wednesday.

Larijani noted that the last visit by Ms. Kumar to Tehran was very fruitful which had considerable impact on the relations between the two countries.

He also noted that Iran and India are of the opinion that the region should be economically developed and provided with security.

The Indian parliament speaker hailed the meeting with her Iranian counterpart and said that the two countries enjoy deep-rooted relations and share many cultural affinities.

She also called Iran a major strategic ally in fighting terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in the region, especially in Afghanistan.

“We have established Iran-India parliamentary friendship assembly, which can boost interaction between the two countries,” Kumar noted.

‘Dialogue is only way out of Syrian crisis’

On Thursday, Larijani discussed a number of issues, including the Syrian crisis, with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, saying that Tehran and New Delhi both agree that the Syrian issue can only be resolved through dialogue among the conflicting parties.

Commenting on the nuclear talks between Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany), which was recently held in Kazakhstan, Larijani said despite a number of hindrances, the talks have shown some progress.

Larijani also emphasized that Iran and India can cooperate in various fields, including in hi-tech and energy areas, saying that Iran has put forward concrete proposals to Indian businessmen about the transition of Iran’s gas to India through sea or land.

Commander: Thousands of Iranian long-range missiles await enemies

Source : Trend.Az

Thousands of Iran's long-range missiles will defend the Islamic Republic against its enemies, an Iranian commander said, Press TV reported.

Deputy Head of the Operations Department of the Iranian Armed Forces General Ali Shadmani said on Thursday, "We are waiting for an order by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] to drop thousands of long-range missiles on enemies who have the evil thought of an invasion [of Iran]."

The enemies, equipped with advanced weaponry, seek an opportunity to carry out an act of aggression, but they even fear the idea of an invasion, the Iranian commander added.

The Israeli regime has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran's nuclear facilities based on the unfounded allegation that the Iranian nuclear energy program has been diverted toward military purposes.

Iran categorically rejects the allegation and says as a committed signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Also on Thursday, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami praised Iran's achievements in its defensive capabilities and said the Islamic Republic was prepared to respond to 'any power.'

Over the past years, Iran has attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially its neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.

The IRGC commander also stated that the Iranian nation has proved that it is invincible and that sanctions, threats, and economic war could not undermine its determination.