IRGC Commander: Iran Exporting Arms to Friendly Countries
Iran has become self-sufficient in production of military hardware, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on Wednesday, and said that the country is now an arms exporter to the neighboring and friendly states.
“Today the Islamic Republic of Iran exports military hardware to the neighboring and friendly countries for defense purposes,” IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said, addressing Workers’ Basij (volunteers) organization in the Central city of Arak today.
He reiterated that the arrogant powers, specially the US, are trying to paralyze Iran’s economy through a reduction and blocking of the international banking services to the country, adding that Washington will use any means for striking blow on Iran.
General Hajizadeh pointed to the ineffectiveness of enemies’ sanctions, and said, “The global arrogance only understands the language of force and confrontation and the presence of Iran in these negotiations is only aimed at convincing some third parties that “the US makes false promises”.
He noted that Iran is looking to nullify the sanctions through making use of domestic production capacities and active man power.
Elsewhere, he noted the US allegations about its campaign against terrorism, and said “Washington’s presence in the anti-ISIL coalition is a showoff”.
Meantime, the General reiterated Iran’s continued support for Iraq’s war on terrorists, saying, “Iran vigilantly supports the Iraqi nation in this regard.”
In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.
Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country’s military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.
