Iran touts defense capabilities

TEHRAN, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Iranian defense officials announced they launched as many as 30 different military projects in coordination with Sacred Defense Week.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi boasted of the capabilities unveiled during a weeklong military celebration in commemoration of the start of the Iran-Iraq war in September 1980.

Vahidi noted Iran unveiled a line of unmanned aerial vehicles and a missile-launching naval frigate dubbed Derafsh.

"The equipment will be used in accordance with the threats posed to the Islamic republic of Iran," added navy Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari.

Defense officials note Iran has become self-sufficient in the production and manufacturing of the vessels and munitions necessary to protect itself, the Fars News Agency reports.

Former Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, for his part, lauded the advancements in electronic warfare and radar systems, including a series of jamming devices.

Iran earlier this year said it was working on stealth technology and Cruise-interceptor missiles.

On Monday, Iran test-fired its Shahab-3 missile capable of hitting targets across the Middle East, including Israel, in a show of force ahead of multilateral nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland.