WORLD NEWS
Iran has announced plans to triple its military budget. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani revealed on Tuesday that this proposed increase is part of a budget submission to parliament, which will be debated with lawmakers expected to finalize it by March 2025.
Mohajerani emphasized that the country has witnessed a "considerable raise" of approximately 200 percent in its defense budget, though she did not provide specific details about the budgetary changes. In 2023, Iran's military spending stood at about $10.3 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). In stark contrast, Israel's military expenditure for the same year was reported at $27.5 billion.
The proposed military budget increase comes on the heels of heightened conflict in the region, particularly following an Israeli military offensive that targeted Iranian military bases over the weekend. Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit around 20 sites in Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran, resulting in the deaths of four Iranian soldiers. This marks the first time since the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s that Iran has faced such direct military action on its own soil.
Tensions escalated further on October 1, when Iran launched approximately 200 missiles and drones at Israel in response to a series of attacks that had killed key leaders of Iranian-aligned groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas. This retaliation appears to have set the stage for a potential increase in military confrontations between the two nations.
Iranian officials have expressed a growing concern about the likelihood of a conventional war on its territory. Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar reported that Iran's defense doctrine has traditionally focused on keeping conflicts away from its borders. However, the recent military incursions have shifted that perception, leading to a heightened state of alert within the Iranian government.
In response to Israel's military actions, Iranian leaders have stated they will "use all available tools" to retaliate. Meanwhile, the United States has issued warnings to Iran about the potential for "severe consequences" if it continues aggressive actions against Israel. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, stressed the importance of self-defense, asserting, "Let there be no confusion. We believe this should be the end of the direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran."
As the situation develops, the proposed tripling of Iran's military budget reflects the country’s commitment to bolster its defense capabilities amid mounting regional pressures and threats.