Iran plans to raise military budget by around 200%
The Iranian government has announced plans to raise its military budget by around 200% in a statement read by government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani on October 29, amid mounting threats of broader regional conflict in the Middle East according to Reuters.
The planned defence budget increase is part of a proposal submitted by the government to parliament for approval.
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“A considerable raise that amounts to 200% has been witnessed in the country’s defence budget,” Mohajerani said in a brief statement issued by state media.
Iran and Israel have been trading missile strikes for months, with Israel striking Iran on October 26 in retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage against Israel on October 1, much of which Israel said was downed by its air defences.
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Tehran said on October 28 that it will “use all available tools” to respond to Israel’s weekend attack on military targets in Iran.