TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Vice-Speaker of Iran�s Parliament Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard reiterated the peaceful nature of the country�s nuclear energy program and said the Islamic Republic has never been after nuclear warheads.

On the military power, the Islamic Republic of Iran has an absolute redline, that is, nuclear warheads have no place in our defense strategy, Aboutorabi-Fard told reporters on Sunday.

Iran will take major strides towards nuclear disarmament of the Middle East region and then the world and at the same time will utilize all of its capacities to boost national power, he said.

The Islamic Republic�s dignified history proves that free and independent countries are always under threat, the parliamentarian said, adding that the Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq war in 1980s) is a clear example of the fact.

Aboutorabi-Fard went on to say that in order to preserve Iran�s territorial integrity and the people�s dignity, the country should have strong military capabilities based on a deterrent strategy.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

Tehran has always assured other nations that its military might poses no threat to the regional countries, saying that the Islamic Republic�s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

By Tasnim News Agency