Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi says the country is one of top producers of lightweight speedboats in the world, highlighting their role in the Islamic Republic's defense strategy, Press TV reported.
The general added that during the eight-year Iraqi-imposed war against Iran, the US "appeared in the region with a noticeable number of aircraft carriers and large warships with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as submarines with nuclear technology that enabled them to remain under water for several months."
"We confronted the large enemy vessels with lightweight speedboats," Vahidi noted. "Despite the fact that the enemy initially belittled the speedboat concept, it was forced to later admit to its strengths."
"Today, Islamic Iran is one of the world's number one designers of speedboats that can carry armament as well as personnel," IRNA quoted the general as saying.
In April 2010, Iran unveiled a high-speed vessel capable of firing rockets and heavy machine guns with the ability to travel at a speed of 70 knots (82 mph).
Iran has completed several major defense projects in recent years despite the UN Security Council sanctions, which have targeted the country's military, energy and financial sectors.
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