Iran is world's fourth missile power: Defense Minister
Source: Tehran Times
TEHRAN - The Islamic Republic of Iran is the fourth missile power in the world, Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan says. "Iran has an acceptable status among countries possessing missile capabilities, and stands after the United States, Russia, and China [in missile power]," Dehqan said in a televised interview with Al-Alam channel on Friday.
Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan
The country is currently striving to boost the accuracy of the missiles and make them radar evading, he noted, adding that Iran has increased the range of its missiles "in proportion to possible threats against the country."
Iran has the ultimate say in its own missile and defense capabilities and no other entity will be able to impose its will on the country's decisions in the missile sector, Dehqan said.
Over the past years, Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector, attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems, and enhanced the preparedness of its forces by holding various drills.
Iran, however, has repeatedly assured other nations, especially regional neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.
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Dehqan further pointed to efforts by the United States and its allies to include the issue of Iran's missile capability in the nuclear talks between Tehran and the 5+1 group of world powers (the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany), saying the negotiations would only cover the nuclear issue.
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Iran is world's fourth missile power: Defense Minister