Tasnim � Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Lieutenant Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami highlighted Iran�s self-sufficiency in producing military gears, saying that the Islamic Republic is at the cutting edge of defense technology.

�Despite all sanctions and scientific, economic and technical blockade over the past four decades, today, in terms of defense technology, we are at the cutting edge of the modern defense technology in the world�,� Brigadier General Salami said in a speech on Saturday.

�Today, if we can build a very accurate ballistic missile, if we have been able to manufacture radars that would monitor satellites outside the atmosphere, and if we were able to build drones with a range of 3,000 kilometers, all of them have been the blessings of the light of Islam with reliance on the youth,� he said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Brigadier General Salami pointed to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and said the revolution changed the world�s political map.

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.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran�s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.

Back in February, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran�s defense capabilities, hitting back at the enemies for disputing the country�s missile program.

�Without a moment of hesitation, the country must move to acquire whatever is necessary for defense, even if the whole world is opposed to it,� Ayatollah Khamenei said on February 18.