Iranian Border Guard Commander Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaghari has announced the country's plan to create new air bases in border areas in an effort to improve Iran's aerial surveillance and defense capabilities, Press TV reported with reference to IRNA.
"The creation of these air bases is aimed at improving border surveillance as projected in the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2005-2010)," Zolfaghari told.
Zolfaghari added, "pilotless aircraft and helicopters will be deployed" after essential facilities are set in place.
"Coordination has taken place with some of the provinces in order to prepare the grounds for a pilot program on aerial surveillance in the areas," he went on to say.
The Iranian commander pointed to the country's comprehensive border security plan and noted that "security will be enhanced at [Iran] borders on a daily basis."
Zolfaghari also made a reference to the accompanying ground defense in border regions and indicated that physical obstacles, border posts, checkpoints and "all" necessary fortifications will be utilized to secure Iran's borders.
Iran has 5,440 kilometers of total land borders. The country shares its northern borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan which extend for more than 2,000 kilometers, including about 650 kilometers of shoreline along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
Iran's western borders are with Turkey in the north and Iraq in the south, and to the east with Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman littoral states form the country's 1,770 kilometers of southern border.
Earlier in February, a senior Iranian Navy commander announced a similar plan to expand the country's coastal missile defense systems.
Tehran has repeatedly emphasized that its military might poses no threat to any other countries, noting that Tehran's defense doctrine is based on deterrence.