TEHRAN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday called on the newly-appointed Iranian air force chief to further enhance the fleet's equipment, the English-language Press TV satellite channel reported.

    Khamenei on Sunday appointed Brigadier General Hassan Shah-Safias the new chief commander of Iran's Air Force, replacing Brigadier General Ahmad Miqani.

    Khamenei recommended the new commander to boost combat preparedness of the air force and proceed with programs in line with self-sufficiency and updating hardware of the air force, in response to Western threats of a military air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

    The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the U.S. charges and insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

    Earlier in August, Miqani, former commander of Iran's air force, announced that the country had revamped its fighter jet fleet to fly 3,000 km without refueling.