US Strategies in Mideast have failed, Iran Defense Minister Says

Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, Iran defence minister

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan says the Middle East and the entire world are grappling with the consequences of the US interventionist policies, stressing that Washington’s strategies have failed in the region.

Speaking in the pre-sermon address to worshippers at the weekly Friday prayers in Tehran, Dehqan said the September 11, 2011 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York led to the US invasion and occupation of the two Muslim countries of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The whole world, including the Middle East region, is still grappling with the severe and profound consequences of this invasion and occupation, he added.

Dehqan said the US thought that by pursuing the Greater Middle East strategy it could secure a permanent presence in the region and achieve its goals through claims of promoting stability, peace, security, democracy and welfare.

He noted that Washington was also pursuing fueling the flames of insecurity and instability in the region in order to destroy the national capabilities of the countries standing against it.

Iran's military power

Elsewhere in his remarks, Dehqan pointed to the Iranian Armed Forces’ power to repel any threat against the country, saying, “We have the military potential and capacity... to counter and crush any possible aggression against the country." 

He said Iran’s defense industry is capable of supplying all military needs of the Armed Forces in accordance with the country’s defensive doctrine.

The Iranian defense minister went on to say that the country's missiles can hit targets with high accuracy and at a range proportionate to the level of the possible threats.

Dehqan emphasized that in addition to the Iranian Armed Forces, the resistance front enjoys Iran’s high military capacities.

“Today, a major proportion of the resistance movement's defense needs are supplied by our defense industry," the Iranian defense minister pointed out.

On March 30, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed the importance of strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities in the face of the threats posed by the country's enemies.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and reached self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially the regional countries, that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence and poses no threat to other states.

Source: PressTV