Iran hits back at former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton for calls to attack Iran’s nuclear sites, saying his remarks have neither a political nor military core. “John Bolton’s remarks lack any true political or military basis and lack the perception of a politician,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told Fars [...]

Qiam 1 (rising 1), IRI’s new surface to surface missile, has been successfully test fired, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said, adding that the missile is equipped with a smart navigation system, which decreases the possibility of it being targeted by other projectiles. “Being a new class of Iranian missiles, Qiam 1 has been equipped with [...]

Iran’s defense minister says by inaugurating dozens of defense projects, Tehran will respond to the sanctions imposed against the country. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi vowed to give a practical response to enemy-imposed sanctions on August 22, which has been dubbed as the “Defense Industry Day.” The Iranian general went on to highlight the “strategic and [...]

Iran’s defense minister says the country’s Armed Forces are in ‘the highest state of preparedness’ and ready to fully defend the nation. “The country’s Armed Forces have honed their skills through different war games and are in good condition in terms of military equipment and morale,” Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was quoted by the IRIB [...]

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi calls for the collective cooperation of regional states to manage the crises threatening regional security. “Expanding defense ties between regional states will greatly help avert and manage the crises and dangers that threaten the region,” Brig. Gen. Vahidi said in a meeting with his Armenian counterpart Seyran Ohanian [...]

The Iranian defense minister has criticized the presence of US warships in the Persian Gulf, saying Iran is keeping a close watch on US moves in the region. “The presence of US warships [in the Persian Gulf] would create nothing but insecurity,” Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told Press TV on the sidelines of a ceremony [...]

After Russia’s controversial decision to freeze the delivery of S-300 defense systems, Iran unveils efforts aimed at self-sufficiency in passive air defense. “At present, Iran is on the path to designing long-range missiles used in passive air defense,” Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi told Mehr News Agency on Thursday. In wake of fresh UN Security [...]

The Iranian defense minister says Israel’s threats of a military attack on Iran are only aimed at diverting public attention from Israeli atrocities in Palestine. Speaking to al-Alam TV network on Wednesday, Ahmad Vahidi said Israel was “entangled with internal problems,” stressing that Tel Aviv does not have the capability to attack Iran. “These threats [...]

The Iranian defense minister says Russia will be responsible for the “damages” caused by its failure to deliver the S-300 missile defense system to Iran. Ahmad Vahidi said on Tuesday that the delivery of the air-defense systems would not violate Russian or international laws. His remarks come five days after Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign [...]

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the UN Security Council sanctions targeting Iran’s defense sphere will not undermine the Islamic Republic’s military might. He noted that the earlier sanctions against Iran all failed to undermine the “solid will of the Iranian nation.” “In the recent resolution, arrogant powers banned weapons sales to Iran, [...]

With Israel holding a large-scale military drill, Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi advises Tel Aviv against looking for any trouble in the region. “Israel’s main problem is its total lack of legitimacy, now adding to existing concerns is the prospect of a military confrontation,” Brigadier General Vahidi told reporters on Sunday. The Iranian official said [...]

Following a recent provocation by a US aircraft, Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi says Washington “knows better” than to take military action against Tehran. On the last day of a major military maneuver in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, Vahidi said Washington’s constant war threats against Tehran are “illegal” and attests to [...]

Iran unveils an advanced anti-cruise missile artillery system in line with a plan to boost the country’s defensive capabilities. Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi told reporters Saturday that the domestically-developed system dubbed Mesbah I can be used against low-altitude targets, including cruise missiles, choppers and drones. He said the new system, capable of firing “four thousand [...]

A top Iranian lawmaker slams the attitude adopted by US officials towards President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s trip to New York as their lack of expertise in international law. “The prejudicial reaction of some US senators and officials proves that they were either not familiar with international law or seeking to satisfy the Israeli lobby,” ISNA quoted [...]

Iran’s Defense Ministry says it will begin the production phase of a domestically-manufactured medium-size passenger plane. Speaking at an avionics conference in Tehran on Sunday, Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the aircraft is designed to carry up to 150 passengers. Vahidi also said apart from outstanding progress in the making “stealth” drones, the ministry is [...]

Iran has equipped its Air Force with 10 new domestically-manufactured helicopters in line with a plan to boost its defensive capabilities. Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Saturday that the Iranian Armed Forces had received 10 units of homemade helicopters dubbed Toufan (storm). Vahidi said that the helicopter is equipped with “state-of-the-art weapons systems including [...]

All missiles tested in Iran’s recent naval drill have been built domestically and will be soon mass-produced, the country’s defense minister says. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said Monday that the main objective of the military exercise by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz was to test [...]

Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi says Iran plans to produce missile defense systems similar to Russia’s S-300 system. Asked if Iran has plans to produce an S-300 defense system, Vahidi said on Wednesday, “We don’t need to produce the S-300 system, but we have plans on the agenda to produce similar weapons.” He [...]

Iran’s defense minister says a review of US nuclear policy which allows the use of nuclear weapons against Iran has revealed a weakness in Washington. The new US Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) purportedly restricts the use of its nuclear arms against most states, except Iran and North Korea. Unlike North Korea, Iran is a signatory [...]

Iran says its first domestically-built air defense system, which is said to be more powerful than the US-made Hawk missile, is ready to become operational. Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Sunday that the anti-aircraft missile, dubbed Mersad (Ambush), features cutting-edge technology that makes it able to “destroy modern aircrafts at low and medium altitudes.” Mersad [...]