The country is self-sufficient in producing defensive weapons and can also undertake exports, according to Defense Minister General Amir Hatami.
"We could not even manufacture barbed wire during the eight-year Sacred Defense and used to import it from other countries," lawmaker Mehrdad Lahooti quoted the minister as telling a parliamentary session on Sunday, ISNA reported.
The defense chief was referring to the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war during which a million died on both sides.
According to lawmaker from Langarud in Gilan Province, Hatami said, "Today we have become self-sufficient in producing advanced weaponry to safeguard our security and are able to export if the need arises."
The minister said Iran is steadfast in preventing hostile powers from undermining the country's security and that of regional states.
"When other countries try to create chaos in the region, we have to equip ourselves to defend [the country]," Hatami was quoted as saying by Lahooti.
Stoking Fear
Commenting on the strikes by the United States on Syria from the air and sea alongside British and French forces early on Saturday, the general reportedly told the parliamentarians that it was intended to sow fear among the people of the region.
The lawmaker said the minister believes Syrian forces are prepared to repel any aggression and that the weekend events will only make the Arab nation more united.
The news agency cited Hatami as saying that Iran plays an "effective" role in the alliance between regional countries making efforts to promote the cause of regional peace.
Violation of Int'l Law
In a telephone conversation with his Syrian counterpart, Ali Abdullah Ayyoub on Saturday, Hatami condemned the western air strikes as "violation of international law and humanitarian principles".
"The arrogant powers that ordered the attack should be aware that their missiles cannot undermine the iron will of the resistance front and the Syrian government to protect the people and restore stability and security to Syria," Hatami said in reference to regional countries and forces opposed to the occupying power Israel and the US.
He underlined Tehran’s backing for the people and government of the war-ravaged Arab country in their fight against terrorism.
The Syrian minister said the close relations between Tehran and Damascus is a sign of solidarity in the battle against terrorists and their sponsors, adding that the latent criminal acts would not undermine his country's resolve to defeat and degrade terror groups.
