Iran's Acting Defense Minister Vows No Surrender to Foreign Pressures

Speaking at a meeting with military attachés from foreign countries residing in Tehran on Saturday, on the occasion of the National Defense Industry Day, Iran's Acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza affirmed that Iran will never surrender to foreign pressures. He emphasized the country's commitment to self-reliance in building its defense capabilities despite decades of sanctions and external restrictions.

General Ibn Reza noted that the former Defense Minister, martyr Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, was the fifth martyred defense minister, following martyrs Chamran, Namjou, Fakuri, and Shamkhani. He took the opportunity to thank countries that condemned the US and Israeli aggression against Iran and forwarded messages of condolences to the government and people of Iran.

He explained that Mordad 31 (August 22) has been designated as the National Defense Industry Day in Iran. He stated that naming this day is not merely symbolic but an effort to appreciate the initiatives and efforts of scientists and defense industry experts who, relying on local and domestic capabilities, have taken unparalleled steps to produce national power, enhance deterrence, and support the armed forces.

"This day also reminds us of the determination of a nation that, despite decades of sanctions and foreign pressure, has built its indigenous defense capability on the basis of self-reliance and national progress," he said. He added that Iran's defense industry is the result of decades of effort, self-confidence, and resistance to restrictions and sanctions, with the main goal of maintaining peace, stability, and national independence, and to increase the national capability to impose regrettable costs on aggressors.

Despite the problems and sanctions, the defense industry has been able to make the armed forces strong and authoritative, he continued. He noted that despite the enemy's claim of destroying the Iranian armed forces in recent wars, the Ministry of Defense has kept production lines for equipment and weapons needed by the Armed Forces active, and has even introduced new offensive and defensive systems into the combat arena under wartime conditions. This process continues with strength, he added.

According to Mehr News Agency, the acting defense minister made these remarks during the meeting with foreign military attachés, underscoring Iran's resolve to maintain its defensive deterrence and self-sufficiency in the face of external pressures.