Iran must boost defense, deterrence power: Leader

The Islamic Revolution Leader has stressed the need to boost Iran’s defense and deterrence capabilities.

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.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.