Iran defense minister Archives - Iran News Daily

Iraqi Defense Minister to visit Tehran

reporter 1222 — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 07:47:19 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Heading a high-ranking military delegation, Iraqi Defense Minister, Juma Inad will visit Tehran upon an official invitation by his Iranian counterpart Brigadier-General Amir Hatami.

Apart from meeting General Hatami, the Iraqi defense minister has also plans to meet a number of other high-ranking Iranian political and military officials.

Expansion of military and defensive cooperation between Iran and Iraq are among the main purposes of Inad’s visit to Tehran.

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Iran ready to sign military-security agreements with Persian Gulf countries

reporter 1222 — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:28:06 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News)-Iran’s Defense Minister, Brigadier General Amir Hatami stressed, “Termination of arms embargo against Iran has created an opportunity for us to import the weapons we need and export our weapons to other countries”.

He made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera during which General Hatami spoke about the latest regional and international developments including termination of arms embargo against Iran.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has military contracts with China and Russia in order to boost its military power” General Hatami said.

“We are not looking for an arm race in the region which turns the region into a powder keg. We are ready to sign military and security agreements with the countries of the Persian Gulf in order to strengthen regional stability,” he added.

Commenting on conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the minister stressed, “Iran has given official warnings to Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the security of Iranian border areas. We expect Turkey, as an important and friendly country, to help resolve the Karabakh crisis diplomatically”.

Pointing to the normalization of relations between the Zionist regime and some Arab countries, General Hatami said, “The normalization of relations of the UAE and Bahrain with the Zionist regime is a direct threat to the security of the Persian Gulf region. Any Israeli threat coming from the Persian Gulf will face a clear and direct response”.

Elsewhere in his remarks, General Hatami emphasized that Iran will not negotiate with the US regarding its missile systems, and no one has the right to ask Iran to do so.

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Minister: Iran to Sell Arms than Buy with Embargo Lifted

reporter 1222 — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 05:27:36 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s defense minister said the Islamic Republic is more inclined to sell weapons rather than buy them, after the expiry of a longstanding UN conventional arms embargo.

“Many countries have already talked to us; we have held negotiations with some countries, and the grounds are totally prepared for exchanges [of weapons], both for selling [arms to other countries] and for supplying certain needs [buying weapons],” Brigadier General Amir Hatami said in a televised interview on Sunday night.

“Of course our sales will be much more extensive [than our purchases],” Hatami added, according to Press TV.

He said Iran will not abandon the policy of self-reliance in its defense industry despite the end of UN arms embargo.

Hatami said such a policy will “unchangeable” even if the country is provided with “all the opportunities in the world”.

The minister also said all nations have the right to defend their territorial integrity, and Iran will be a good and successful actor in this regard as it seeks to maintain peace.

He said Iran’s goal is first to become self-sufficient and powerful in terms of defensive capabilities, and second to support the countries that seek to defend their existence.

In line with a historic 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the UN Security Council’s embargo on trade in conventional weapons with the Islamic Republic ended on Sunday. The nuclear accord had been endorsed by the Security Council in the form of Resolution 2231.

The development came in spite of months-long attempts by the United States to keep the arms embargo in place.

In his Sunday remarks, Hatami said the sanctions imposed by the US against Iran pushed the country to move toward self-sufficiency, so much so that the Islamic Republic can now produce and supply 90 percent of its defense needs inside the country.

“Even our enemies admit that Iran today is a significant missile power in the world. … It is also a renowned world power in the aerial field,” especially in producing drones and missile defense systems, Hatami added.

“Our Khordad-3 defense system managed to target an expensive American stealth drone which had intruded the Iranian airspace.”

He gave an assurance to regional countries that the Islamic Republic wants peace, stability and security for the region and the world. “This is the clear defense policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“You can’t find any move against this policy in the past four decades …. Wherever we took action, it was meant to create peace, help establish security and stability in the region. We honestly showed it to the entire world in the course of fight against the terrorists trained by the Americans,” Hatami said.

Military treaties with Persian Gulf states

On Monday, Hatami told Qatar’s Al Jazeera Arabic broadcaster that Iran is ready to sign military and security treaties with the Persian Gulf countries to maintain the stability in the region.

Hatami warned that the recent normalization of ties with Israel by the United Arab Emirate and Bahrain poses a direct threat to the security of the Persian Gulf region

He said any Israeli threat stemming from the Persian Gulf region will face a clear and direct response from Iran.

The end of the arms embargo, the minister added, is an opportunity for Iran but the country is not interested in launching an arms race that would turn the region into a “powder keg”.

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Defense Minister Warns of Action If Karabakh Shells Hit Iran Again

reporter 1222 — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:39:47 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami cautioned the warring parties in the Karabakh conflict that Tehran will take measures stronger than warnings if the shells fired in the fighting continue to hit Iranian territories.

Speaking to reporters in Mashhad on Tuesday, the defense minister said border security is the vital issue for the Iranian Armed Forces.

He added that Iran has already given Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan “serious warning” after their mortar Karabakh shells hit Iran by mistake.

“The lives of citizens and the security of the holy soil of Islamic Iran are vital and significant issues, and it is by no means acceptable that bullets hit our country’s territory due to carelessness.”

Brigadier General Hatami warned that Iran will definitely adopt broader measures if the warring sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh war continue to make such mistakes.

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to be careful not to violate Iran’s border amid the outbreak of the new round of fighting.

His comments came after officials in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azarbaijan reported that mortar shells fired by the warring sides in the latest round of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan have hit border rural areas in the province.

According to reports, one of the mortars has fallen in a village in Khoda Afrin county, injuring a 6-year-old child.

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Indian Defense Minister Holds Fruitful Talks in Tehran

reporter 1222 — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 04:09:18 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited Tehran where he held “very fruitful” talks with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Amir Hatami, saying they exchanged views on regional security and bilateral ties.

In a tweet on Sunday, Indian Defense Minister posted pictures of his talks with Hatami, saying the two sides had also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Press TV reported.

“Had a very fruitful meeting with Iranian defense minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami in Tehran. We discussed regional security issues including Afghanistan and the issues of bilateral cooperation,” he tweeted.

In another tweet, the Indian defense minister’s office said the meeting between Singh and Hatami took place in “a cordial and warm atmosphere,” adding both officials “emphasized upon the age-old cultural, linguistic and civilizational ties between India and Iran.”

Singh traveled to Tehran after concluding his three-day visit to Moscow, where he held talks with his counterparts from Russia, China and the Central Asian states.

In an address to a joint meeting of the defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), he called on countries in the Persian Gulf region to settle differences through dialogue.

“India has vital interests and links of civilization and culture with all States in the Persian Gulf,” he said. “We call upon countries in the region – all of which are dear and friendly to India, to resolve differences by dialogue based on mutual respect, sovereignty and noninterference in internal affairs of each other.”

India has long sought to use a transit corridor through Iran’s southern Chabahar port to facilitate trade access to Afghanistan and other Central Asia nations as well as Russia.

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Iran Defense Minister: Joint Strategy with Russia Helps Regional Peace

reporter 1222 — Sun, 23 Aug 2020 13:12:04 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – The common strategy adopted by Iran and Russia is contributing to regional peace and security in defiance of the US’ unilateral policies, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said.

In a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu on Sunday, the Iranian defense minister said it is inevitably necessary for Tehran and Moscow to promote cooperation considering the constant threats to the two countries.

Praising the Russian government for the positive and constructive policies it has adopted over the past recent months, particularly its opposition to a US-initiated resolution against Iran at the United Nations Security Council, General Hatami expressed confidence that the common strategy that Tehran and Moscow have adopted to resolve regional problems would bring about peace, stability and security in the region irrespective of the US’ unilateral policies.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia have in recent years launched targeted and common efforts to counter the US and the Trump administration’s unilateralism and bullying policy in the region,” the Iranian general added.

He also pointed to the “big defeat” the US and its regional allies suffered recently after the UN Security Council rejected an American proposal for the extension of an arms embargo on Iran, saying the strong opposition from the JCPOA parties to the US’ bid for triggering the snapback mechanism has dealt another blow to American excessive demands.

For his part, the Russian defense minister said Russia and Iran have common goals and interests in the regional and international arenas.

Highlighting the promising prospect of defense and security cooperation between Iran and Russia, Shoygu called for the expansion of regional cooperation to ensure peace and stability.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, the Iranian defense minister has traveled to Moscow to attend the International Military-Technical Forum ‘Army-2020’ and hold talks with senior Russian officials.

Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance strategy in recent years, with both supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s legitimate government against foreign-backed militancy.

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Iran Defense Minister in Russia for ARMY-2020 Forum

reporter 1222 — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 11:07:03 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami is going to leave for Russia on Saturday to take part in the International Military-Technical Forum ‘Army-2020’ at the invitation of his Russian counterpart.

Heading a high-ranking military delegation, the Iranian defense minister will travel to Russia later today at the invitation of Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoygu.

Hatami is scheduled to attend the Army-2020 forum and hold meetings with the Russian authorities.

Organized by the Russian Defense Ministry, ARMY-2020 will be held on August 23-29 at Kubinka Air Base, Alabino Military Training Grounds.

Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance in recent years, with both supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s legitimate government against foreign-backed militancy.

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Iran Defense minister: Ready for strategic partnership with Iraq

reporter 1222 — Mon, 18 May 2020 03:55:09 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami voiced Tehran’s willingness to forge a strategic partnership with neighboring Iraq and turn bilateral ties into a “successful model for cooperation.”

Hatami made the comments on Sunday during a video call with his Iraqi counterpart, Lieutenant General Juma Anad Saadoun Khattab, who was recently appointed by the new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Hatamai underlined the need for defense cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran to restore security and stability in the region, Press TV reported.

“We are willing to offer all our potential to Iraq and become strategic partners and turn our bonds into a successful model of cooperation,” he said.

Iran has maintained close ties with Iraq since the ouster of former dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

In 2014, when Daesh unleashed its campaign of terror in Iraq, Iranian military advisers rushed to the aid of Iraqi armed forces on Baghdad’s request, helping them reverse Daesh’s gains and ultimately liberate their entire homeland from the terrorist group some three years later.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Hatami congratulated the Iraqi defense minister on his appointment and wished him success in his career.

He also expressed satisfaction with the formation of the new Iraqi administration, saying, “A united, independent and powerful Iraq, with the participation of all ethnic and religious groups, is our principled policy.”

“Therefore, we hope that the Iraqi government will be successful in fulfilling its inherent responsibilities and duties, especially in materializing national demands, improving economic conditions, and fighting the coronavirus disease.”

Hatami also touched on the common history, culture, and religion of the two neighboring countries and extended an invitation to his Iraqi counterpart for an official visit to Iran.

Iraq swore in Kadhimi as the new prime minister earlier this month after months of political deadlock that had hampered the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic and stepped-up Daesh operations.

The United States is strongly opposed to close relations between Iran and Iraq, pressuring Baghdad to keep Tehran at an arm’s length.

However, Washington’s efforts have been trumped by the extent and depth of the relationship between Tehran and Baghdad.

Iraq’s former electricity minister said this week that Iran will remain a key source of energy for the Arab country for years to come despite the US opposition.

“The only available option we have at the moment right now is Iran—and let’s be frank,” Luay al-Khatteeb said in an interview.

The US has been enlisting its companies and allies such as Saudi Arabia to replace Iran as Iraq’s source of energy.

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Defense Minister: Iran Ready to Deal with Modern Threats

reporter 1222 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 09:14:57 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said the country needs to maintain a constant state of preparedness to deal with new threats in the modern age.

In comments during a visit to a hospital in Tehran, the defense minister urged that all experiences and achievements in the battle with the novel coronavirus should be well documented to devise plans for dealing with other threats.

“This virus resulted in multidimensional achievements for the country, and greatly broadened our experience (and readiness) for dealing with future modern threats,” the minister added.

Pointing to the far-reaching impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on cultural, economic, security and health issues, General Hatami said, “We must constantly update our preparedness in the face of emerging threats.”

The outbreak and consequences of the coronavirus may encourage the hostile countries to pursue their evil objectives against other nations, he warned, stressing the need to prepare the country for confrontation with similar threats.

In comments earlier in April, Head of Iran’s Civil Defense Organization called for the formation of a fact-finding committee to look into the possible role of the US government in the creation of coronavirus.

Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali said the US government has the world’s “biggest biological army” and may have been behind the creation of COVID-19.

The United States claims to be the world leader, but it has formulated a biological cooperation plan and has established 25 laboratories with biosafety level (BSL) 3 and 4 in various parts of the world, he said, adding that the American biological laboratories are not subject to any international monitoring and do not report to any organization either.

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Defense minister orders production of disinfectants against coronavirus

reporter 1222 — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:02:12 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has ordered the ministry to gear up the efforts to produce at least 20,000 liters of disinfectants per day to counter the spreading coronavirus in the country.

The defense minister ordered the Defense Industries Organization to launch the production line of the disinfectants as soon as possible to meet its increasing demand amid the spreading worldwide fear from the coronavirus epidemic.

More than 2,700 people have died of coronavirus since it began more than a month ago in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Countries like South Korea and Iran are reporting a growing number of infections despite a fall in cases in China in recent days.

According to reports on Monday, Iran’s Ministry of Industries (MIMT) has ordered plants and factories producing protective face masks to ramp up production to full capacity.

The order came amid a shortage in face masks in Iran and amid efforts to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has affected several major cities in center, north and east of the country.

The ministry has guaranteed that all masks will be purchased by the ministry of health, the body which is planning to distribute the masks for free among the population.

Other government departments have joined in the campaign to confront the spread of infection in Iran.

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