Iran says the recent missile launches are in line with its defensive doctrine, which has effectively reduced the prospects of military confrontation.

"The missile launch was part of annual military drills to hone the country's defense skills and commemorate the beginning of the Iraq-imposed war on Iran in the 1980s," the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Hassan Qashqavi, said Monday.

Iran on Saturday began testing a number of missiles to sharpen its defensive capabilities. Shahab-3 missiles, which were test-fired on Monday, are believed to have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers.

Several models of medium-range Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 missiles were also tested during a drill on Sunday night.

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, meanwhile, said the country's missile deterrence has reduced the risk of confrontation over its nuclear program.

General Jafari said that the secret to victory was unity.

"At this time too, we need unity, both on the international stage and at home," said the war veteran.

He then turned to the just-concluded missile drills by the IRGC, saying, "The enemy appreciated our country's defensive capability and strength, which are not comparable to our resources at the time of the Sacred Defense."

"As a result of this capability, those who used to speak of attacking Iran are now declaring that they entertain no such desires or thoughts, for they have realized that attacking Iran is an extremely dangerous act," Fars News Agency quoted the general as saying.