Tehran (AFP)

Iran unveiled Thursday its new locally manufactured anti-aircraft defense system against a backdrop of increased tensions with the United States.

Called "Bavar-373", it is, according to Iranian officials, the first anti-aircraft missile system with a range greater than 200 km produced locally.

Tehran has started manufacturing the Bavar after the suspension in 2010 of the purchase of the S-300 anti-aircraft system to Russia because of international sanctions.

Iran's new ground-to-air mobile defense system was unveiled at a ceremony in Tehran, attended by President Hassan Rohani, who ordered that he be added to Iran's missile defense network, reported the official news agency Irna.

"The long-range Bavar-373 missile system is suitable for Iran's geography, with a range of more than 200 km (...) and rivals Russian and American systems like the S-300 and the Patriot" , added Irna.

The system is "better than the S-300 and close to the S-400," Rohani said in televised remarks after the ceremony on the occasion of "National Defense Industry Day".

Photos published by his office show the rear-mounted system of military trucks in Tehran.

Iran installed Russian S-300 air defense systems in March 2016, following the conclusion in July 2015 of a historic agreement on Iran's nuclear power with the major powers, which lifted sanctions against Tehran.

Thursday's ceremony comes amid rising tensions with Washington since last year's unilateral withdrawal of the US nuclear deal and the reinstatement of US sanctions against Tehran.

Iran claimed to have shot down a US Global Hawk drone in June that it said had violated its airspace, which Washington denies.

© 2019 AFP