Tasnim � Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said the enemy has sought to hamper the progress of Iran�s missile program but its plots have been foiled.

�Now, they (US officials) have announced that they are seeking to sabotage our missile sector,� Brigadier General Hajizadeh said in a speech on Sunday.

�For several years we have been aware of this (the enemy�s plot), but we did not made it public,� the commander stated.

�They were trying to sabotage some of the equipment so that the missiles would explode in the air,� Brigadier General Hajizadeh said, adding, �But so far, they have failed to do a damn thing because we anticipated (their moves) and boosted (the missiles to thwart the moves).�

Earlier this week, Hajizadeh rejected US officials� recent claims that Washington has managed to sabotage Tehran�s missile program as �a very big lie�.

It came after The New York Times recently reported that the Trump White House has accelerated a secret American program to sabotage Iran�s missiles and rockets, according to current and former administration officials.

The officials described a far-reaching effort, created under President George W. Bush, to slip faulty parts and materials into Iran�s aerospace supply chains, the report said.

US government officials asked The Times to withhold some details of its reporting, mostly involving the identities of specific suppliers to the Iranian program, because the effort is continuing, the report said.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran�s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.

Back in February 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran�s defense capabilities, hitting back at the enemies for disputing the country�s missile program.

�Without a moment of hesitation, the country must move to acquire whatever is necessary for defense, even if the whole world is opposed to it,� Ayatollah Khamenei said at the time.