Iran's Defense Minister: Our Top Priority is the Missile Program

Iran's Defense Minister emphasized the development of the missile program as the first priority of the Islamic Republic, stating that Iran will soon unveil a "new fighter jet." Amir Hatami, the Minister of Defense, said, "Our top priority is the missile issue, in which we have a good status and need to enhance it." In an interview with state television, he stressed that the produced missiles have a "good variety" and military officials are seeking "other strategic capabilities." On Monday, August 13, Iran unveiled the short-range ballistic missile "Fateh Mobin." The United States claims that according to a UN Security Council resolution, Tehran must cease the development of its ballistic missiles, while Tehran argues that the resolution prohibits Iran from using nuclear-capable missiles and that the country is not seeking to build nuclear weapons. European countries supporting the JCPOA have also criticized Iran's missile program. Resolution 2231, adopted on July 19, 2015, calls on Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons for eight years after the implementation of the JCPOA. In another part of his speech, the Minister of Defense stated that Iran has succeeded in producing a "fighter jet": "A plane will be presented that has gone through various stages and will fly on the day of the defense industry, and people will witness the flight of this fighter jet and also see the items used to build it." Due to extensive sanctions, Iran's armed forces have faced various problems in purchasing advanced fighter jets. Currently, the main fleet of the air force consists mostly of aircraft purchased during the previous regime and some old Russian fighters. A group of military experts believes that the prohibition on the sale of strategic military weapons, particularly fighter jets to Iran, and the Islamic Republic's inability to modernize its air force, is one of the reasons Tehran has focused its efforts on expanding and enhancing its missile capabilities. In 2012, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the then-president, and Ahmad Vahidi, the then-Minister of Defense, unveiled a plane called Qaher 313 or F-313. However, after the unveiling, there was little news about it, and some experts stated that what was unveiled was nothing more than "a plastic model." Experts have also expressed doubts about the capabilities of this fighter jet. Mr. Hatami did not mention details about the new "fighter jet" that is supposed to "fly" in his interview with state television. The Iranian Defense Minister also stated that the air defense system "Bavar 373" has passed the "final tests" and will "soon be delivered to the armed forces." This air defense system was unveiled two summers ago. Over the past years, various reports have been published regarding the testing of this system, and Iranian officials have even stated that it is expected to replace the Russian S-300 system. In his interview with the state television network, the Iranian Defense Minister said, "We have enemies who say they will deprive you of your resources, and with the contract we signed, they acted that way and broke their promise. These are the same ones who negotiated with Libya, and Libya gave everything, and now what is its situation?" It seems that Mr. Hatami's direct reference is to the United States government. Donald Trump, a critic of the nuclear agreement made during Barack Obama's administration between Iran and five other countries, withdrew from this agreement in May. The first part of the U.S. sanctions returned a few days ago, and the second part, which includes oil sanctions, is set to be implemented in November. Mr. Trump and his administration have accused Iran of engaging in destabilizing actions in the region, "supporting terrorist groups," and moving towards building nuclear weapons. In May, Donald Trump stated, "The Iranian regime is the leading state sponsor of terrorism, exporting dangerous missiles, pouring gasoline on the fire of conflict throughout the Middle East, and supporting terrorist groups and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda." Tehran has denied the allegations of interference in regional countries and supporting terrorism, stating that it is not seeking to build nuclear weapons. Iran does not hide its support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, referring to them as "resistance groups." Donald Trump and U.S. officials have expressed readiness for new negotiations with the Islamic Republic, but the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has recently prohibited new negotiations with the United States.