TEHRAN, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian armed forces will keep boosting defense capabilities and deterrent power, including missile program, Chief of Staff of Iran Armed Forces Major General Hossein Baqeri said Thursday.
The Iranian armed forces will never allow any interference in Iran's defense sphere or missile power, Baqeri was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.
The friends and foes acknowledge that Iran has turned into an "influential international actor" by relying on its internal capacities, he said, adding that the Iranian armed forces are prepared for decisive reaction to hostile actions.
The Iranian officials have reiterated that the Islamic republic will never negotiate over its missile program under U.S. pressures.
On Jan. 7, Iran's Foreign Ministry denied western media reports that Tehran had agreed to negotiate over its missile program.
"The Islamic Republic does not allow any interference in its domestic affairs and defensive policies, especially its missile program," the Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said.
