Iran marks Armed Force Day

Addressing a ceremony to mark the event, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Iranian armed forces are prepared to respond to any "possible enemy threats determinedly."

Iran will never attack any country, but will defend its borders "resolutely against any foreign aggression," he said, adding that "Iran's armed forces support the stability in the region" and poses no threat to any of its regional neighbors.

As for the army's role in the country's nuclear negotiations with the six major powers, Rouhani said the army's support has made the Iranian negotiators defend the country's national interests steadfastly.

Also on Friday, the Iranian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the deterrent power and full defense preparedness of Iran's armed forces will safeguard the country's security and disappoint enemies.

A high-ranking army commander announced that Iran plans to utilize reconnaissance drones to protect the borders more effectively.

The same say Iran's navy said that they had started to manufacture an indigenous destroyer for training purposes, dubbed "the Persian Gulf."

Pieces of military hardware, upgraded battle tanks, and the country’s new defense achievements, including the Arash radar system, the Qader missile launcher, the Shalamcheh missile, the Akhgar machine gun, and the Moharram gun, went on display in the military parade. 

In addition, a number of helicopters and fighter jets made an overflight and airborne forces did parachute jumps.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Army Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said that in view of the fact that Iran possesses advanced military equipment and technologies, it is able to efficiently deal with threats and display its might.    
 
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the commander of the Iranian Navy, also announced that a new domestically manufactured submarine, named the Fateh, will be unveiled during the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 21.