Iran boosts military power for deterrence: official

TEHRAN, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran is boosting its military power for deterrence purposes, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said on Tuesday.

"Other countries fill our region with weapons and bombs," Hatami said, adding that this strategy would lead to war and deaths in the region.

"We will not allow this to happen, and we will certainly increase our defense power so that war does not take place," he was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Hatami made the remarks in an international meeting on "humanitarian demining" in capital Tehran.

Iran has announced that it will continue to boost its military capabilities, including its missile power, for defensive ends.