Iran’s Parliament to Boost Defense Budget

Tehran –Esmail Kowsari the head of the parliament’s defense committee has announced that the Iranian parliament plans to propose an increase in the defense budget of the next Iranian calendar year.

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Esmail Kowsari said that the parliament always supports efforts to reinforce the country’s defense capabilities.

“Accordingly, after the submission of next year’s Budget bill (to the parliament by the administration), we will put forward a proposal to allocate five percent of the budget to the country’s defense sector,” he noted.

“Currently, the country’s defense budget is meager in comparison with some regional countries,” the lawmaker said, adding that it has to increase for the next year.

 In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in enhancing its defense capabilities.

Tehran has always assured other nations, though, that its military might poses no threat to the regional countries, saying that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

LPG output up 47% in nine months

In another development, Deputy managing director for operation at National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said production of LPG by refineries nationwide increased 47 percent during March 21-December 21, 2015 compared to the amount for the same period last year.

AbdolhosseinSamari further told Shana that during the period, LNG production hit 2.051 million metric tons while gas production reached 125.1 bcm showing an increase of four percent.

Ethane production grew by six percent to rise to about 1.2 million metric tons.

He also added that 711,000 tons of sulfur were produced during the nine-month period.

The official added that South Pars Phase 12 produced 3.432 bcm and gas output at phases 17 and 18 stood at 2.721 bcm during the said period.

IRNA

R.S