Khamenei says war unlikely but urges boosting Iran's defenses
TEHERAN - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out the possibility of military attacks by the country's enemies, but called on Iran's armed forces to boost their defense capacities, according to his official website, as the country faces increased tension with the United States.
On Saturday, Iran announced plans to boost its ballistic and cruise missile capacity and acquire modern fighter planes and submarines to boost its defenses following the US pullout from Teheran's nuclear agreement with world powers.
"Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that based on political calculations there is no likelihood of a military war but added that the armed forces must be vigilant ... and raise their personnel and equipment capacities," the website quoted Khamenei as telling commanders of Iran's air defense forces.
