Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on military commanders to boost the national air defense systems to ensure effective deterrence against hostile powers and adversaries.
Speaking in a meeting with commanders of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base in Tehran on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the importance of modern equipment in the air defense sector and remaining vigilant to react promptly to any foreign aggressive move.
"The enemy should be made to feel alarmed that should it attack Iran, it will receive a heavy response," he was quoted as saying by his official website.
He denounced the failed US attempts to prevent an Iran deal with Russians to purchase S-300 air defense systems. "We are facing an enemy that does not recognize our nation's right to defense. It wants us defenseless so it can attack us whenever it wishes… so the armed forces should develop their capabilities to deter the enemy even from thinking about aggression."
After last year's nuclear deal with major powers, Russia moved to carry out the long-delayed contract to supply Iran with S-300 systems. Iran is expected to take full delivery of the weapons before the fiscal year ends in March 2017.
