Iran to increase 'defense capabilities': Minister
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Tehran, March 12, IRNA -- Iran says it will strengthen its defense capabilities to protect peace and security in the region.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran won't ever allow that another war break out,' Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said, addressing the International and Humanitarian Demining meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran on Tuesday.
"So, to protect peace and security, we will certainly increase our defense capabilities." "By resisting against excessive demands, no war will break out and we won't be exposed to its consequences," he assured.
Iran's chief defense official stressed that "deficiencies" caused by "sanctions" haven't impeded the country from acquiring the necessary knowledge to clear minefields, that have been left from the Iraq War of 1980.
"A large area of the country was contaminated with mines and explosives that were supplied by many big powers to Saddam," General Hatami added, referring to the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain who was toppled in 2003.
The Iranian official noted that Iran has lost 93 of its demining forces during the last 12 years. "125 have been wounded as well," he said during the international meeting that was held in Simorgh Hotel in Tehran.
Hatami criticized "some parts of the UN such as the Security Council" for calling on Iran to scrap its missile and defensive armament. "However, he mentioned- they allow the countries with big arm producing companies to fill the region with all kinds of weapons."
He called for "logical thoughts away from the interests of arms producing factories'.
9218**2050
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
