Iran committed to strengthen defense despite tensions with US

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday that Iran was determined to boost its defence capabilities despite mounting pressure from the United States and its allies to curb its ballistic missile programme.

"We will continue to boost Iran's defence power despite America and our enemies' pressure ... We need to take Iran to a point that enemy understands that they cannot threaten Iran ... America's sanctions will make Iran self-sufficient," Khamenei said in a speech, broadcast live on state TV.