24-04-2024 06:56 PM Jerusalem Timing

Rouhani: Iran Will Firmly Deter Aggression

Rouhani: Iran Will Firmly Deter Aggression

Iranian President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had the might to deter any attack as its military displayed a range of drones and missiles at an annual parade in Tehran.

Iranian President Sheikh Hassan RouhaniIranian President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had the might to deter any attack as its military displayed a range of drones and missiles at an annual parade in Tehran, state television reported on Friday.

"We told the world during the (nuclear) talks and we repeat that we don't support any aggression ... We support dialogue," Rouhani said in the live broadcast.

"We don't attack any country and don't want war but we will firmly confront any aggression against Iran," he said, as helicopters and fighter jets flew overhead and parachutists landed in the parade area in the south of the capital near the shrine of revolutionary leader Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Rouhani, whose election in June paved the way for a major thaw in ties with the West, was referring to the talks with six major powers to hammer out a permanent agreement aimed at resolving the decade-old nuclear standoff.

Under a November preliminary agreement between Iran and the world powers, that took effect on Jan. 20, Iran is to scale back its nuclear activities in exchange for initial relief from international trade and financial sanctions.

The next meeting between Iran, the United States, France, Russia, Germany, China and Britain is set for May 13 in Vienna, where they will start drafting the final agreement.