Iran must boost defense, deterrence power: Leader

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has instructed the Iranian president to boost the country’s defense and deterrence capabilities.

The directives were part of the Leader’s letter to President Hassan Rouhani in which Ayatollah Khamenei announced the general policies of the Sixth National Development Plan.

In the letter, the Leader underlined the need to upgrade Iran’s deterrence power by developing the nation’s missile capability and defense technologies as well as boosting the capacity to produce weaponry and major defense equipment to help counter “different types of threats.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also stressed the need to develop civil defense programs in critical and sensitive locations in the country.

Among other points highlighted by the Leader was the necessity of boosting soft power and cyber-defense capabilities as well as providing air defense and cyber-security for the country’s infrastructure.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that at least five percent of the country’s budget should be set aside to boost the nation’s defense capability at the regional level to secure national security and interests.