One of major achievements put on display during the parade in Tehran was the new air defense missile system, dubbed Kamin-2.

Developed by local experts, is used for hitting aerial targets flying at low altitudes.

Other items displayed in the parade included various types of command and control systems, radars, missiles and launchers, tanks, armored vehicles, rifles, pilotless aircraft, artillery gear and ground combat weapons.

National Army Day was included in the Iranian calendar after a historic letter from late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini in April 1979, in which he voiced strong support for the Army and ordered Army troops to hold massive parades across the country on April 18 every year to express their combat readiness.

The historic decision by Imam Khomeini came after a hostile propaganda for undermining the Army after its successful missions in quelling riots and separatist moves in Turkman Sahra in northeast, Kurdistan in west, and West Azerbaijan in northwest of Iran. </s> Tehran—In a huge military parade to mark National Army Day, Iranian troops showed off the "Kamin-2" missile system as it was driven on the back of a truck through the streets of Tehran.

A low-altitude missile system, the "Kamin-2" is designed to confront military drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low-flying planes.

This latest military system is an upgraded version of the Mersad missile system.

Local media are reporting that the system has been upgraded by Iranian experts according to the most advanced technology in the world.

The move flouts international restrictions on such weapons and will be seen by many as a direct challenge to President Donald Trump's attempt to shut down the country's military programme.

Iran is expected to deploy these missiles to war zones in the Middle East such as Syria to combat what Iranian officials call "regional threats".

Earlier this week Iranian Army Airborne Commander Yousef Qorbani announced the missile unveiling to state media.

"The range of the missile has doubled to fly 8 to 12km further compared with the previous version," he said.

"Given the regional threats that we are facing, they can be highly effective in combats in short-range combat zones."

In addition to the new missiles, Iran unveiled helicopters armed with rockets and machine guns.

Iran has said that these would be deployed "for combat in proxy and guerilla warfares". </s> In a huge military parade to mark National Army Day, Iranian troops showed off the "Kamin-2" missile system as it was driven on the back of a truck through the streets of Tehran. A low-altitude missile system, the "Kamin-2" is designed to confront military drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low-flying planes. This latest military system is an upgraded version of the Mersad missile system. Local media are reporting that the system has been upgraded by Iranian experts according to the most advanced technology in the world.

The move flouts international restrictions on such weapons and will be seen by many as a direct challenge to President Donald Trump's attempt to shut down the country's military programme. Iran is expected to deploy these missiles to war zones in the Middle East such as Syria to combat what Iranian officials call "regional threats". Earlier this week Iranian Army Airborne Commander Yousef Qorbani announced the missile unveiling to state media. "The range of the missile has doubled to fly 8 to 12km further compared with the previous version," he said.

“The range of the missile has doubled to fly 8 to 12km further compared with the previous version” "Given the regional threats that we are facing, they can be highly effective in combats in short-range combat zones." In addition to the new missiles, Iran unveiled helicopters armed with rockets and machine guns. Iran has said that these would be deployed "for combat in proxy and guerilla warfares". Qorbani added: "Our dear experts in the air industry have had a highly successful performance and have equipped our helicopters with night-vision systems. </s> The new system, called Kamin-2 (Ambush-II), is an upgraded version of Mersad missile system.

The system is designed to confront with a variety of aerial targets flying at low altitudes, particularly drones, according to a Farsi report by Mehr News Agency.

The Tehran ceremony was held at the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, south of the capital.

Among other equipment showcased in Tehran were various types of command and control systems, radars, missiles and launchers, tanks, armoured vehicles, rifles, unmanned aircraft, artillery gear and ground combat weapons.

The Tehran ceremony was participated by President Hassan Rouhani, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and other senior military and government officials as well as foreign diplomats, military attaches and reporters.

The annual parades were also held by the Iranian army in other Iranians cities on Wednesday. </s> Iran has held a large-scale military parade on the occasion of the national army day, exhibiting its latest military achievements and capability.

President Hassan Rouhani, the chiefs of the army, air force, and navy, as well as senior commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) attended the event, state media reported.

Addressing the event, Rouhani once again described the country’s defense program as peaceful, renewing the Islamic Republic’s pledge that Tehran has no intention to invade other countries.

President Rouhani also said that the country is after cordial and brotherly ties with its neighbors.

He emphasized Iran’s right to develop national deterrence power, stressing that the country will not wait for any permission to produce the defensive weapons it needs.

The army began the parade this morning near the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in southern Tehran.

During the parade, the units of the armed forces displayed their new defense achievements and equipment.

A short-range air defense system dubbed “Kamyin-2” was also unveiled during the parade.

Follow Trend on Telegram. Only most interesting and important news </s> Iran commemorates National Army Day with a large-scale military parade, showcasing the country’s defense preparedness and latest achievements in this sector.

Forces with various divisions of Iran’s Army attended the parade, which began on Wednesday morning near the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, in southern Tehran.

During the parade, Iranian Armed Forces displayed their new defense achievements, advanced military equipment and hardware. Similar celebrations were also held in other cities across the country.

Another such parade was also held by Iran’s Navy forces in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, with the country’s warships and destroyers sailing in the strategic waters in a show of power.

In Tehran, Iran’s latest domestically manufactured missile system called Kamin-2 was unveiled. It is a portable device designed to target enemy drones flying in low altitude.

Among other defense hardware put on display were the country’s other missile systems, including S-300, S-200, Tabas and Sayyad, as well as radar systems, tanks, armored vehicles and sniper rifles.

President Hassan Rouhani addressed the Tehran event, which was also attended by the chiefs of the Iranian Army, Air Force, and Navy, as well as senior commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

Rouhani highlighted the peaceful nature of the country’s defense program, saying Iran has no intention to invade other countries or harm their interests.

The president assured regional states that Iran’s policy towards them is based on “good neighborliness,” adding that history shows Iran has never invaded but rather helped nations and governments grow over the past centuries.

He emphasized Iran’s right to develop its national deterrence power, stressing that the country will not wait for any permission to produce the defensive weapons it needs.

“In such a region where big powers have used terrorist groups as tools to promote insecurity, our country needs a strong deterrent armed force that stands against the major powers’ conspiracies and prevents terrorists from setting sight on the territory with greed,” he added.

The Iranian chief executive also warned the Western States against flooding the region with their weapons while plundering the resources of its nations.

“Your weapons could neither bring independence for regional countries nor frighten great nations like Iran,” Rouhani said, describing political dialog and peaceful approaches as the only solution to regional and global problems. </s> As President Donald Trump decides whether to reauthorize the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which according to Israel’s Channel 10, Trump could very well abandon the agreement on May 12, Iranian authorities are taking no chances as the invitation to war increases with the West.

Authorities in the country have just announced their latest round of new deterrence systems of advanced ballistic missiles and helicopter gunships, expected to debut in an upcoming military parade later this week.

Iranian Army Airborne Commander General Yousef Qorbani revealed on Monday that the Islamic Republic is planning to showcase a new short-range missile named ‘Shafaq, during the country’s military parades on April 18, which he added the missile is a complete upgrade of an earlier version — with much longer range.

The unveiling of these new deterrence systems could greatly complicate continuing “efforts by the Trump administration and European allies to solidify a range of fixes to the landmark Iran nuclear deal that would crack down on Iran’s ongoing ballistic missile program and research into nuclear arms,” said The Washington Free Beacon.

General Qorbani added that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are planning to unveil an “aerial parade of the Airborne units’ helicopters,” which are specifically equipped with a variety of armament subsystems, including rockets and machine guns for the use of combat in proxy and guerilla warfares. The General also said the country’s helicopters had been outfitted with night vision-systems for night operations.

“Our dear experts in the air industry have had a highly successful performance and have equipped our helicopters with night-vision systems,” General Qorbani said. “We have also become fully indigenized in the field of long-range missile systems. Turning ground-based missiles to air-based missiles and enjoying the best fire-and-forget missiles are among other achievements of the Army Airborne Unit,” he added.

General Qorbani further said Iran is one of the most advanced states in the region in developing “helicopters with the capability of fighting electronic warfare, targeting guided missiles, interception of targets from a distance and using cruise missiles,” as quoted by Fars News Agency.

As the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are in the process of modernizing their military with new deterrence systems ahead of the Trump administration’s decision whether or not to abandon the nuclear agreement; we ask a straightforward question: Is ending the Iran deal an open invitation to war? </s> Iran confirms it recently carried out a missile test within the framework of its defense program, saying the Islamic Republic does not allow any foreign intervention in affairs concerning its defensive prowess.

“The recent test has been in line with our [defense] program, and we do not let any foreigner intervene in our defense affairs,” Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said on Wednesday.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a government meeting in reaction to US calls on Tuesday for a UN Security Council (UNSC) emergency meeting on a missile launch by Iran.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Iran had “a medium-sized missile launch testing on January 29.”

Dehqan reaffirmed assertions made by several Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, that the test had not violated UNSC Resolution 2231.

The Resolution was adopted on July 20, 2015 to endorse a nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Under the resolution, Iran is “called upon” not to undertake any activity related to missiles “designed to be capable of” delivering nuclear weapons. Iran says it is not involved in any such missile work and has no such warheads.

“The test is in no way in contravention of Resolution 2231,” Dehqan likewise said.

“We have always stated that we never abandon developing and reinforcing our defense foundation in line with our interests,” said the Iranian defense chief, adding that the Islamic Republic does not “require anyone’s permission” in this regard.

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On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi also defended the country’s missile tests as the “inalienable and absolute” right of the nation, saying the Islamic Republic would never seek permission from anyone to defend itself.

Elsewhere in his comments, the Iranian defense chief also addressed the issue of the military maneuvers underway in the Persian Gulf.

The US, the UK, France and Australia started a three-day joint naval exercise called Unified Trident in the region on Tuesday. The exercises reportedly simulate a potential confrontation with the Islamic Republic.

With the inauguration of the new US administration, the Persian Gulf states are worried about their future, and seek to strengthen their position in the region, Dehqan said.

“These [efforts], however, are of no avail. Countries which do not rely on their own people’s will cannot advance any goals.” </s> On Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described as "stupid and idiotic" Western expectations for his country to curb its missile program. He decreed mass production of ballistic weapons, striking a defiant tone just before nuclear talks resumed on Wednesday in Vienna.

The high-stakes negotiations aim for a deal by a July 20 deadline to end a long stand-off that has raised the risk of a wider Middle East war.

Tehran's often repeated view that missiles should not be part of the nuclear talks appears to enjoy the support of Russia, one of the six global powers.

But a senior U.S. official made clear this week that Tehran's ballistic capabilities must be addressed in the negotiations since U.N. Security Council resolutions on Iran "among many other things, do say that any missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon must be dealt with."

A ban on developing missiles suited to carrying a nuclear warhead is included in a 2010 Security Council resolution, its fourth - and toughest - imposed on the Islamic Republic for defying council demands that it suspend uranium enrichment and other nuclear activities of potential use in bomb-making.

The new report by the U.N. Panel of Experts, seen by Reuters, said Iran's overall attempts to procure materials for its nuclear and missile programs appeared to have slowed down as it pursues negotiations with world powers that it hopes will bring an end to international sanctions.

But the same report makes clear that, apart from holding off on test-firing one type of rocket, Iran shows no sign of putting the brakes on the expansion of its missile program.

"Iran is continuing development of its ballistic missile and space programs," the experts said, citing the August 2013 identification of a new missile launch site near Shahrud and a larger missile and satellite launch complex at the Imam Khomeini Space Center at Semnan believed to be near completion.

The report also noted what it described as the June 2013 opening of the Imam Sadeq Observation and Monitoring Center for monitoring space objects, including satellites.

The dispute over missiles has already surfaced behind closed doors in Vienna. On Wednesday, the first day of the latest round of the nuclear talks, the U.S. delegation made clear that it wanted to discuss both Iran's ballistic missile program and possible military dimensions of its past nuclear research.

But in a sign of the wide divergence between the U.S. and Iranian positions, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif merely laughed and ignored the remarks, according to an Iranian official present. An American official declined to comment but referred to remarks from a senior U.S. official earlier this week, who said "every issue" must be resolved.

Diplomats close to the talks say Britain, France and Germany agree with the U.S. view. But Russia, which has engaged in missile-technology trade with Iran, seems to disagree. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted by Iranian media as saying that Tehran's missile program was not on the agenda.

The Islamic Republic denies accusations that it is seeking the capability to make nuclear weapons. It insists that its missiles are part of its conventional armed forces and rules out including them on the agenda for the nuclear discussions.

Speaking to reporters at a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the U.N. panel's report, saying it showed how Tehran works "to deceive the international community to continue to develop ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles).

"As the talks continue, one thing that must guide the international community and that is we must not let the ayatollahs win, we mustn't let the foremost terrorist state of our time, Iran, develop the capability to produce nuclear weapons," the right-wing premier said in Jerusalem.

Hagel responded: "I want to assure you of the United States' commitment to ensuring Iran does not get a nuclear weapon - and that America will do what we must to live up to that commitment - which is what President Obama said here in Israel last year."

Netanyahu has long made clear he believes talking with Iran is the wrong approach and has clashed with Obama over it, and Israel has threatened to bomb Iranian nuclear installations if it deems diplomacy to have failed.

Netanyahu described an interim deal that the global powers struck with Iran in November as "an historic mistake".

However, Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association, a Washington-based research and advocacy group, said that missiles should not become a deal-breaker with the Iranians.

"The best way to address Iran's potential to exploit nuclear-capable missiles is to ensure that Iran's nuclear program is sufficiently limited and transparent," he said.

"To seek Iran-specific limits on conventional weapons that Iran regards as vital to its self-defense would jeopardize the negotiations' key objective."

An Iranian official confirmed that the ballistic missile program would not be interrupted. "Iran purchases parts from various countries, including Russia and China and then assembles missiles in Iran," he said.

"Some Gulf countries have been involved in the missile delivery to Iran. Iran has never stopped its missile program and has no intention to do so; it gives Iran an upper hand."

The U.N. Panel of Experts, which monitors compliance with the U.N. sanctions regime against Iran, said in its 49-page report that monitoring Iranian missile work was not easy.

"Analysis of Iran's ballistic missile program remains a challenge. With the exception of several launches, periodic displays of hardware and one recent revelation of a new ballistic launch facility, the program is opaque and not subject to the same level of transparency that Iran's nuclear activities are under IAEA safeguards."

It said procurement for the missile program continues, with no apparent changes in the type of materials Iran seeks.

"Among the most important items Iran is reportedly seeking are metals as well as components for guidance systems and fuel," the panel report said. "Similarities between Iran's ballistic missiles and space programs can make it difficult for states to distinguish the end-uses of procured items."

The experts said it was unclear why Iran appears not to have test-fired a Sejil, its longest-range, solid-fuelled ballistic missile, since 2011. This might be due to satisfaction with its performance, an inability to procure components or ingredients for solid fuel, or a shift to other missiles considered to be of higher priority, according to the report.

"Iran may also have decided to suspend further testing which could be interpreted as inconsistent with the spirit of the (six power) negotiations," the experts assessed.

Nevertheless, the panel said that proof Iran is continuing to develop the Sejil came from a 2013 parade of their launchers.

On February 10, Iran test-fired the Barani, which the experts said the Iranian Defense Ministry had described as "a new generation of long-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying multiple re-entry vehicle (MRV) payloads." A MRV payload deploys multiple warheads in a pattern against a single target.

Iran had announced no other ballistic test, the panel said.

According to Jane's Defense Weekly, Iran recently unveiled an indigenous copy of the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 unmanned aerial vehicle as well as "other, potentially more significant, revelations" - including new versions of the Fateh-110 tactical ballistic missile known as the Hormuz-1 and Hormuz-2.

Analysts say, however, that Iran has tended to exaggerate its military achievements, including its missile capabilities.
Iran reveals several new missiles on Islamic Republic of Iran Army Day, including the new air missile defense system Kamin-2.