Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar on Monday
dismissed the possible imposition of more UN Security Council
sanctions against Tehran, saying the measures would only enhance
its military independence, Iran's local Fars news agency
reported.
Sanctions would "multiply the incentive of the elites of the
country's defense industries in the design and manufacture of
modern home-made weapons," he was quoted by Fars as addressing the
deputies and senior officials of Iran's defense ministry.
Self-sufficiency in Iran's defense industries has made sanctions
practically ineffective, he said.
The Iranian defense chief stressed that the armed forces of his
country "are in such a state of preparedness that no one will dare
to aggress against the Iranian territory."
On Thursday, the six world powers -- the United States, Russia,
China, Britain, France and Germany reached agreement on a draft
resolution imposing tougher sanctions against Tehran on its
unyielding nuclear ambitions.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2007)
