...

Iran may add to its military budget from other unofficial resources - expert

Iran Materials 27 January 2014 17:17 (UTC +04:00)
If the recent report on Iran decreasing its military budget is correct, then country may add to that budget from other unofficial sources, expert on political and military issues, Hossein Aryan told Trend on Jan. 27
Iran may add to its military budget from other unofficial resources - expert

Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 27

By Umid Niayesh, Saeed Isayev - Trend:

If the recent report on Iran decreasing its military budget is correct, then country may add to that budget from other unofficial sources, expert on political and military issues, Hossein Aryan told Trend on Jan. 27.

He was commenting on the recent reports about changes in Iran's military budget for the next calendar year, which starts on March 21, 2014.

"Iran may use indirect sources, such as incomes from the Khatam-ol-Anbia construction base, which is affiliated with Iran's IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps)," he said, adding that there might as well be some other unregistered sources.

On Jan. 26, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani said that the country will increase its military budget in response to the recent remarks made by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who previously said that a military option on Iran is still open.

At the same time, Iranian Sharqh newspaper published information that Iran's proposed military budget for the next year is 9 percent less than the current year's budget.

Early in Dec. of 2013, Mehr news agency reported that Iranian army budget has increased by 50 percent (52 trillion rials - approximately $2.1 billion), while the budget for IRGC has increased by 30 percent and will be 44.5 trillion rials ($1.79 billion). Iran's military budget includes both the budget for the army and the IRGC.

"Considering Mehr's Dec. report, the recent report of Shargh newspaper seems to be incorrect," the expert said. "Iran's total military budget is $12-13 billion on average, and the numbers in the newspaper are incorrect."

On the other hand, Aryan said that some Iranian officials claim that the military budget should be increased.

The expert also went on to say that Iran's plans include increasing its influence in the Middle East and beyond, which requires a significant boost of the country's military.

"Recently, two Iranian warships have taken course for the Atlantic Ocean on Iranian navy's first-ever mission there. It shows that Iran want to boost its military influence even in overseas," he said.

"The country has made large investments in its defence sector in producing essential military equipment and systems, including producing missiles, warships, and so on," Aryan underscored.

He noted that these facts do not confirm reports on Iran decreasing its military budget, adding that the Islamic Republic neighbors' military budgets are even bigger than Iran's.

"Even if there is an idea to decrease the military budget, hardline Iranian MPs will not allow it," he said.

Tags:
Latest

Latest