Iran continued ramping up tensions with the US when it displayed its arsenal of military weapons, which included its domestically-produced fighter jets and Russian-made missile systems, during the nations annual Army Day. During the live broadcast on state television, thousands of soldiers marched vigorously past Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and top military commanders, whilst new Iranian-built fighter jets flew overhead.
Mr Rouhani condemned Washington’s intervention in the middle east after US president Donald Trump continued to contain Iran’s power by imposing sanctions.
The Iranian President also hit out at its growing relationship with Israel and has accused it of being a threat to peace in the region.
In an address to the nation Mr Rouhani said: “I want to tell the regional countries that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are not against you and your national interests, they stand against invaders.
“The roots of our problems are the Zionist regime and American imperialism.”
At the military rally, Iran also showed of its off missiles, submarines, armoured vehicles, radars and electronic warfare systems.
However the Iranian president indicated the military display was not a threat against any regional country and Iran seeks “regional security and stability”.
Mr Rouhani added: “We seek regional security and stability, countries’ sovereignty and end of terrorism and their activities in this region.”
Meanwhile the head of Iran’s air force, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, sent a stern warning to the rest of the world that Iran “will respond in the strongest way possible” to any threats.
Brigadier General Nasirzadeh told state news agency IRNA: “The enemy knows our military power and I doubt they dare to make a stupid and adventurous move against us; But if they do, we will respond in the strongest way possible.”
The armed forces event in the capital was held by the national defence force which controls the country’s biggest ground force.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards is in charge of a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles.
On Monday the US officially designated the Revolutionary Guards as a foreign terrorist organisation.
Mr Rouhani condemned the move against the Guards as “abhorrent” and said “insulting the Revolutionary Guards is an insult to all armed forces, and an insult to Iranian great nation”.