Iran reports a huge increase in defense exports, according to Middle East Newsline (MENL).
Iranian officials were quoted by the agency as saying that “defense exports last year increased by 86 percent over 1999,” noting that the figure was 18 percent higher than had been forecast by the Defense Ministry.
Mohammad Beig Mohammadlou, a senior Defense Ministry official, said Iran has exported weapons to more than 24 countries, said MENL. Mohammadlou would not provide figures or name Iran's clients.
The official was quoted by the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) as saying that Iran's state-owned defense industries issued more than 39 new products in 2000.
Mohammadlou did not elaborate, it added – Albawaba.com
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