TEHRAN, Aug 6 : Iran's Acting Defence Minister Brigadier General Majid Ebn-e-Reza on Thursday said the country's armed forces were prepared to respond to any threat, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continued to rise.
"Every day, signs of the enemy's erosion of power become more evident. However, our Armed Forces, relying on the country's defence industry, are fully equipped to respond to any threat," Ebn-e-Reza said in a message shared on social media, according to Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
He said countries seeking security and military superiority through foreign purchases would eventually recognise that Iran's indigenous defence technology was stronger than any system in the region, IRNA reported.
The remarks came amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States, with US President Donald Trump warning that Iran could face further action if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened soon.
Trump said on Tuesday that Iran would be "hit very hard" if the strategic waterway remained closed. The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world's most important energy routes, carrying oil and liquefied natural gas shipments from Gulf producers to global markets.
Trump has said Washington was engaged in discussions with Tehran, but Iranian officials have denied that any negotiations are taking place.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in Tehran that the country was not currently holding talks with the United States. He added that, except for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was on a pilgrimage to Iraq, Iran's negotiating team was in the country. (UNI)
