Iran's Khamenei says Tehran's ballistic missile program crucial for country's defence

Iran's top leader warned on Monday of the country's harsh respond if attacked by enemies of Tehran, saying that the country's ballistic missile programme was essential for defence purposes despite western demands to curb it.

"Tehran will attack 10 times more if attacked by enemies ... The enemies don't want an independent Iran in the region ... We will continue our support to oppressed nations ... our enemies have staged economic and psychological warfare against us and new American sanctions are part of it," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.