TEHRAN - The Iranian defense minister said on Thursday that the armed forces are ready to repel any threat against the country, official IRNA news agency reported.

The armed forces have been monitoring global and regional developments with vigilant eyes, said Amir Hatami at a meeting held in the capital Tehran with the participation of military advisers and officials.

Highlighting the capabilities of the Iranian armed forces, he said the hegemonic system has been showing hostilities toward Iran for 40 years.

A day earlier, Hatami said the "illegal and aggressive" presence of US forces in the Gulf is causing insecurity in the region, Press TV reported.