Iranian Defense Minister: Tehran World’s 4th Missile Power, Holy Iraq’s Shrine Red Line

The Islamic Republic of Ian is the fourth missile power in the world, says the country’s defense minister.

Iranian Defense Minister

“Iran has an acceptable status among countries possessing missile capabilities, and stands after the United States, Russia and China,” said Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said in a televised interview on Friday.

He further added: “In proportion to possible threats against the country, we have tried to increase the range of our missiles.”
The country is currently striving to boost the accuracy of the missiles and make them radar-evading, he noted.

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.

Dehqan further pointed to efforts by the US and its allies to include the issue of Iran’s missile capability in the nuclear talks between Tehran and the P5+,1 and said the negotiations would only cover the nuclear issue.

“What we are discussing with the P5+1 is merely the nuclear issue and no other topic has been put and will be put on the agenda,” the defense minister said.

He noted that Iran decides about 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.

Referring to Iran’s position regarding activities of the terrorist group of “ISIL” in Iraq, the minister said, Tehran has made it clear that Iraq’s holy shrines are a red line for Tehran and that it would react to any move against those holy sites.