Iran slams Turkey over NATO's radar stationSeptember 6, 2011 - 19:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said that Tehran will not tolerate any aggression against its national interests. Vahidi made the remarks in an interview with reporters in Tehran on Tuesday, September 6 in reference to the fact that Turkey has agreed to host an early warning radar as part of NATO’s missile defense system, which is ostensibly meant to counter an alleged ballistic missile threat from Iran. Vahidi said, “We regard the presence of the Americans and the Westerners as troublesome, which would undermine security in Muslim countries and harm their interests.” The Western countries have the blood of many Iraqi, Afghan, and Palestinian people on their hands, Vahidi stated, adding, “We do not regard their presence in any country as beneficial to Muslim countries.” Elsewhere in his remarks, Vahidi commented on French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s remarks on August 31 in which he said that Iran’s alleged attempts to build long-range missiles and nuclear weapons could lead unnamed countries to launch a pre-emptive attack on the country. Such remarks are meant to shift focus from the atrocities that the West is committing in Libya and certain other parts of the world onto issues which have no basis in fact, the Iranian defense minister said. Elsewhere in his remarks, Vahidi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is making efforts to indigenize security in the region with the aim of helping maintain regional security without the presence of foreign forces, Tehran Times reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |