DM: Iran Open for Defense Ties with World
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Islamic Republic is ready to have defense ties with all but only a few world countries, Iran’s defense minister said, adding that the neighboring, Muslim states have priority over other nations in that regard.
“We are prepared to have constructive defense ties with the entire world countries, except one or two, with the priority given to the neighboring, Islamic countries and those aligned with us,” Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said in an address to an annual gathering of heads of Iranian missions to the foreign countries, held in Tehran on Tuesday.
He also underlined that Iran seeks to grasp the opportunities for constructive defense ties in a bid to “strengthen peace, stability and security” across the region and around the globe.
In September 2013, only a month after assuming the post as defense minister, Dehqan had announced in a meeting with his Omani counterpart that defense cooperation between Tehran and Muscat was an example of constructive interaction and a positive role model for relations among the regional countries.
Also in May, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan expressed the Asian giant’s enthusiasm for closer defense ties with Iran.
In recent years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector, attaining self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.
The Islamic Republic of Iran says its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.