Iran ‘determined’ to boost military after US-Israel military aid pact

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri said the US-Israel aid deal “will make us more determined in strengthening the defense power of the country.”

Iran’s chief of staff of the armed forces said the $38 billion aid deal between the United States and Israel makes Iran more determined to strengthen its military.

In comments broadcast live on Iranian state TV, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri said the US-Israel aid deal “will make us more determined in strengthening the defense power of the country.”

“The criminal [US] move to sign an agreement to present a supportive military package to the Zionist regime is a desperate attempt to protect the security vacuum of the regime and makes us more determined to increase our military power,” Baqeri said

Last week, the US signed an unprecedented new security agreement with Israel that will give the Israeli military $38 billion over 10 years. Part of the funds will be allocated to Israel’s missile defense program, designed to intercept projectiles launched from Iran or its proxy terror organizations.

Iran does not recognize Israel and supports terrorist groups such as Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Bagheri’s remarks were made during an annual military parade on Wednesday marking “Sacred Defense Week,” the anniversary of the outbreak of 8-year-long Iraq-Iran war in 1980, one of several parades held across the Islamic Republic.

The latest military and defense achievements made by Iran’s military industry were put on display at the parades, including the long-range Qadr F missile system and the Emad missile system, both with ranges that can hit Israel.

By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report.