TEHRAN, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar on Monday dismissed the possible imposition of more UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran, saying the measures would only enhance its military independence, Iran's local Fars news agency reported.

    Sanctions would "multiply the incentive of the elites of the country's defense industries in the design and manufacture of modern home-made weapons," he was quoted by Fars as addressing the deputies and senior officials of Iran's defense ministry.

    Self-sufficiency in Iran's defense industries has made sanctions practically ineffective, he said.

    The Iranian defense chief stressed that the armed forces of his country "are in such a state of preparedness that no one will dare to aggress against the Iranian territory."

    On Thursday, the six world powers -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany reached agreement on a draft resolution imposing tougher sanctions against Tehran on its unyielding nuclear ambitions.

    The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1737 on Dec. 23,2006, demanding Iran to stop all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities including research and development and work on all heavy water-related projects in 60 days. Iran refused to heed the Security Council's demand by the deadline that fell on Feb. 21, 2007.

    The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its civilian nuclear programs. Iran has said that its nuclear programs are for peaceful purposes only.