Iran blasts U.S. economy

TEHRAN, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Washington is using the alleged threat to national security from Iran as an excuse to increase its military spending programs, Iranian military officials said.

U.S. President Barack Obama signed a $680 million defense measure in October that meets the majority of the funding request by the U.S. Defense Department for the 2010 fiscal year.

Maj.Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi, the commander of Iran's joint armed forces, sought to link defense spending to the fiscal crisis gripping world markets, Iran's Press TV reports.

"While the financial crisis caused by high military spending and flawed domineering decisions has broken the back of a major group of people in the U.S., certain advisers and members of Congress are busy propagandizing about Iran's nuclear program," he said.

He said that instead of pointing to the Iranian nuclear program, the U.S. government would be better served to focus on domestic issues.

"It is in the best interest of Americans to use the strength of their youth and national assets to save their nation," he said.