The Iranian president said the military power is solely aimed at defending the country and the region against aggressors and terrorists, stressing that no one can stop Tehran from developing its conventional armaments.
President Hassan Rouhani made the statement in a speech during a military parade in Tehran on Friday, marking the first day of the Sacred Defense Week, President.ir reported.
"Iran has never boosted its military might to invade other countries, but Tehran has developed it for defensive [purposes] and to deter aggressors. Iranian weapons are for defending the country and regional nations from attacks of big powers and terrorists," he said.
Rouhani stressed that Iran would strengthen its defense power to the extent it deems necessary.
"We need nobody's permission to defend our territories," he said.
The Sacred Defense Week marks the anniversary of the beginning of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. Military events are held across the nation to commemorate the longest military battle in the 20th century.
***New Ballistic Missile
The most recent achievements of the Iranian armed forces in the missile industry, equipment for the ground, naval and air defense forces as well as communications gear were displayed in the events.
Among the weapons unveiled was a new ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km, Tasnim News Agency reported.
The missile, named after Iran's southwestern city of Khorramshahr, is capable of carrying multiple warheads, said Commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Lieutenant General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
"Training courses on the use of Khorramshahr have already begun. The ballistic missile will be operational in the near future."
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