DM: US Increasing Arsenal in World Indicates Washington’s War Plans

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi deplored the US militaristic approach in the world, and stressed that deployment of the US arsenals all throughout the world indicates that Washington is pursuing an offensive strategy and warmongering plans.

Addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the national week of civil defense here in Tehran on Sunday, Vahidi pointed to US deployment of the so-called air defense missile shields in the region and in the world, and stated that these weapons do not constitute “just a defensive web, rather they are meant to be used for military force” and offensive plans.

“They have filled the world with weapons and arsenals, and it would be wrong for anyone to imagine that there won’t be any way in future,” Vahidi stated.

“Military power and war is inevitable” since the use of force has become a normalcy for the hegemonic powers, he said, underlining that Iran has to find out the different aspects of the military power and define its position.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in April promoted the missile shield idea at a Persian Gulf-US security forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. US officials have, in provocative comments, alleged that it is their “priority” to help the six Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) states build “regional missile defense architecture” against Iran.

In reply, Commander of the Iranian Army Major General Ataollah Salehi said at the time such projects merely seek financial interests for the Western arms producers.

Tehran has previously made clear its displeasure at Turkey’s agreement to deploy an early warning system for missiles, part of the NATO shield structure, on its soil.

Iranian officials have said the plan will be used as an “eye” for Israel by giving it greater surveillance over countries in the region.

Meantime, Russia and China underlined the strong opposition to the attempts made by the US-led West to expand its military alliances and deploy missile defense systems in different parts of the world.

Russia and China support the formation of a multipolar model of international relations, call for building a fairer global economic system and speak against the expansion of military alliances.

In September, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said an enemy invasion of Iran is possible, but such a war would put an end to the life of the Zionist regime of Israel.

“Owing to the (high) speed (of the growth and development) of the Islamic Revolution, this cancerous tumor, Israel, is challenging us to war, but it is not clear when this war would take place,” Jafari said in Tehran in September.

“War may break out, but if Zionists start something, that will be the point of their annihilation and the endpoint of their story,” he added.

Jafari, meantime, underlined that “no one dares to wage an extensive ground assault on Iran”.

The General said if the enemy were wise, there wouldn’t be any problem, “but the problem is that there is no guarantee for this rationality and we should be prepared too.”