TEHRAN – The Iranian government has announced a proposal to increase the nation’s military budget by almost 200 percent, aiming for a significant boost in defense capabilities. 

On Tuesday, the Pezeshkian administration announced a proposal to increase the nation's military budget threefold. 

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani delineated the move that would see "a significant increase of almost 200 percent in the country's military budget" to strengthen Iran’s defense capabilities at a press conference in Tehran. 

She stated the administration has considered multiple sectors in the budget bill submitted to the Iranian Parliament for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Mohajerani did not provide further details, and Tehran has not released precise figures for the proposed budget. However, some Western think tanks have reported that Iran's military spending for the previous year was approximately $10.3 billion.

The announcement follows heightened tensions in the region after an Israeli airstrike on Iranian soil on Saturday. The regime's attack targeted Iranian military sites, causing the martyrdom of four servicemen of the Iranian Army and a civilian. The strike also resulted in minor damage to some Iranian radar installations; however, Iran swiftly restored them to full operational capacity. 

Israel’s attack against Iran came after a year of incessant violence in Gaza and Lebanon, where tens of thousands of civilians have been killed.

Just hours before Mohajerani's press conference, President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived at Iran's Parliament to present the national budget proposal for the Iranian calendar year 1404, set to begin in March 2025. 

He stated that a key principle of the budget bill, developed by his administration after two months of dedicated work, is to bolster Iran's defense capabilities in light of the regional circumstances and threats facing the nation. 

The president emphasized that the budget bill also incorporates plans aimed at promoting economic growth, increasing oil production capacity, expanding medical reserves, optimizing water distribution, and delivering affordable housing for lower-income families. 

Although the Iranian parliament has approved the broad outlines of the 1404 Budget Bill, the specifics of the proposal are set for discussion, with lawmakers anticipated to finalize it by March 2024. 

Iran's military might and self-reliance 

Iran's military power is significant, with approximately 610,000 active-duty personnel and 350,000 reserves, totaling about 960,000 mobilizable troops and making it the largest in West Asia. 

The country has advanced aerospace, missile, and drone capabilities, including long-range and precision-guided missiles that serve as deterrents, along with sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

Iran’s military strength was prominently displayed during Operations True Promise 1 and 2, underscoring the nation's commitment to defending its sovereignty through precise actions against Israeli positions. 

These operations resulted in confirmed strikes on Israeli airbases, which are known to possess some of the most advanced air defense capabilities globally, bolstered by significant American support. 

Nonetheless, in comparison to other countries in the region, Iran's military spending is seen as relatively modest. 

Iran's military budget for 2023 stood at approximately $10.3 billion, a figure notably lower than that of Saudi Arabia, which allocated around $75 billion, the Israeli regime at about $27 billion, and Turkey with a military budget of approximately $20 billion. However, Iran’s commitment to self-reliance and domestic production capabilities has enabled the country to make significant military advancements despite its comparatively smaller budget.