Iran: Iran has doubled its production of defense weapons and equipment over the past year, a military official says, emphasizing that strengthening national power is essential to confronting foreign powers seeking to undermine the country's independence.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, stated in an interview that Iran's defense industry has evolved into a crucial component of national security and military preparedness. He highlighted the rapid production and replacement of domestically manufactured weapons and ammunition as one of the industry's main strengths.

The official explained that Iran's defense production capacity has maintained its operations alongside the utilization of weapons and equipment in the field, ensuring that supplies can be replenished swiftly when necessary.

Talaei-Nik noted that defense weapons and equipment production doubled over the past year despite attacks impacting limited sections of Iran's defense industry during the 12-day war.

He emphasized that the country's ability to maintain a stable supply of weapons and military equipment has been a key factor in its battlefield resilience. This capability, he further explained, is supported by the collaboration between the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense, knowledge-based companies, private-sector firms, and scientific and research centers.

Some strategic defense products and wartime supplies saw more than a threefold increase in production during the conflict, the spokesperson added.

Talaei-Nik highlighted that Iran's defense industry has expanded significantly, from producing only 31 basic products before the 1979 Islamic Revolution to manufacturing more than 1,000 advanced systems, weapons, and ammunition today.

He further mentioned that the production costs for some Iranian defense systems are up to 20 times lower than those of similar foreign products.

The spokesperson concluded by stating that Iran managed to withstand the recent conflict despite the United States, the Israeli regime, and their supporters having military budgets more than 100 times larger, crediting the outcome to domestic production capabilities and national resilience.