Iran needs no permission to manufacture missiles, jets: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic has never even considered launching military aggression against any other country, stressing, however, that Tehran will not seek permission from others to manufacture missiles and fighter jets.

“We have repeatedly declared that strengthening the defensive prowess of Iran’s Armed Forces is only aimed at defending the country and will never be used against another country,” Rouhani said in a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday to unveil new domestically-manufactured defense achievements.

“[Striking] a regional balance and maintaining the defensive and deterrent power of a pivotal country like Iran, which has endangered big powers’ interests through its great [Islamic] Revolution and is conveying the message of justice and freedom to the world, are necessary,” he added.

He pointed to several crises in the Middle East and across the world and said, “In our region, we have witnessed different crimes and acts of aggression by regional countries and sometimes by big powers and the US.”

The Iranian president emphasized that the “powers’ intervention and the cancerous tumor of Israel” have always been a source of concern and insecurity in the Middle East.  

Big powers have always sought to serve their own interests in the region, he said.

“Even if our region were completely secure and major powers were not present there, a country still needs deterrent power and the region requires balance,” Rouhani stated.

He warned of further problems if the regional balance was disturbed.

The Iranian chief executive further stressed the importance of remaining vigilant, maintaining preparedness and boosting national resistance.

The Iranian Defense Ministry on Saturday showcased its recent technological achievements, including a domestically-made jet, named Kowsar, designed for training purposes and other items.

A tactical drone, dubbed Mohajer-6, the Nasir anti-ship cruise missile, Fakur air-to-air missile and the Qaher F-313 fighter jet were also put on display.

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said the production of the Qaher F-313 and Kowsar jets was “a prelude to the production of heavy aircraft.”