Iran's defence minister says Tehran has a "specific plan to boost missile power" that includes increasing the capabilities of its ballistic and cruise missiles, as tensions remain high with the United States over its weapons programme.
Newly-appointed Brigadier General Amir Hatam said Iran would also focus on manufacturing heavy aircraft "to bolster its strategic aerial might" and increase its marine forces.
“Defensive diplomacy is an important part of our plans," Brig Gen Amir Hatam, who was promoted from the position of army commander in last month's cabinet reshuffle, told the state-owned Al Alam Arabic news channel on Saturday. "In a region where stability and security are important issues, diplomacy and interaction definitely play a prominent role ".
He said strengthening Iran's military capabilities — including in cyberwarfare — could help create stability in the country and establish mutual trust between Iran and other countries in the region, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.
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Read more:
Iran air defence improved but not game-changing, analysts say
Tehran says it can resume high-level uranium enrichment in five days if nuclear deal is 'violated'
Iran unveils its own air surveillance systems
Suleimani claims Iran has 'upper hand' in region
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Tehran would also export military equipment “to prevent wars”, he claimed.
Brig Gen Hatami's comments came as the head of the Revolutionary Guard's air defence said Iran had tested its home-grown Bavar-373 air defence system, designed to match the Russian S-300.
"All of its sub-systems have been completed and its missile tests have been conducted," Farzad Esmaili told state broadcaster IRIB, which owns Al Alam, adding that the system was set to be operational by March 2018.
Iran began manufacturing the Bavar-373 after the purchase of the S-300 from Russia was suspended due to international sanctions. The sale resumed following the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which lifted sanctions.
In separate comments, General Mohammad Baqeri, Iran’s military chief of staff, said on Saturday that an attack on Iran was not only unlikely but also “unwise”, and would “entail heavy costs”.
“In the remote case of an aggression [by enemies], this won’t be on the ground because they would face brave warriors,” Gen Baqeri told Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
US president Donald Trump has taken a more aggressive approach towards Iran after its test launch of a medium-range missile in February, saying “nothing is off the table” when it comes to dealing with Tehran.
The US imposed unilateral sanctions against Iran in August after saying its testing of ballistic missiles violated the UN resolution that endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal.
The resolution called upon Iran not to undertake activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, but stopped short of explicitly barring such activity.
Tehran denies its missile programme breaches the resolution, saying it is designed for defensive purposes.
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
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Transmission: seven-speed automatic
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Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
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