Iran's defense minister says the country will not wait for permission from "others" to boost its defense capabilities after the US and its allies urge the UN to take action over Tehran's missile tests.
Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said what constitutes Irans regular missile drills is based on pre-arranged plans which are carried out in order to assess the degree of its preparedness and capabilities.
We will continue to act on achieving defense capacities with the aim of responding to any threat. We will not need any permission or okay from others in this path, he told the state television Wednesday night.
Dehqan stressed that Iran would never move toward developing unconventional weapons.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has never had and will never have offensive intentions against any nation or country.
In defending itself, he said, Iran will act [using] all tools at its disposal in accordance with its national interests.