Alwaght-Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has reiterated that the country must maintain its defense might to deter enemies.
"We must be strong and powerful, because the Qur'an tells us that we must be so powerful to take away the courage from the enemy and those threatening us," he told the inauguration of a defense museum in Tehran Sunday.
"This means the enemy has either to be made disappointed about achieving a success or know that if it attacks us, it will have to pay immense costs," the president added.
Iran's defense capabilities have become the subject of US interest for fresh pressures on Tehran, especially the country's missile program.
Rouhani said Iran's defense power is a deterrent, over which the country will never negotiate in the face of threats.
"Our national power is for peace; we gain power for deterrence. Deterrence is the same as dignified peace. We should be ready to remove and thwart threats against the people," he said.
Rouhani said Iran was ready to answer any possible questions but stressed that the country would not negotiate about its defense capabilities.
"Our nation and authorities do not and will not need to negotiate with anyone or reach a deal with any power over their defensive capabilities," he said.
"If any authority comes and asks a question, we will give a firm and strong answer. Our answer is clear. But we will procure any weapon or capability which we need within the framework of rules and regulations and the fatwas of our Leader," he added.
Rouhani reiterated that the Islamic Republic is not after weapons of mass destruction according to a fatwa by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The president further touched on US threats against Russia with new atomic weapons following Washington's publication of a document outlining plans to expand its nuclear capabilities.
"You see how the Americans are shamelessly threatening Russia with a new atomic weapon," Rouhani said.
"The same people, who believe that weapons of mass destruction are a crime against humanity and say that international bodies have condemned them and all should destroy them, talk about new weapons," he added.
