Tehran (IP) - Referring to the acknowledgment of the UK defense minister regarding the 40-year debt of this country to Iran, Iran's defense ministry called for practical and immediate steps by London to compensate the 450-million-pound debt to Tehran.

Iran PressIran news: Iran's defense ministry in a statement issued on Thursday said: "The UK has refrained the payment of its debt under false pretenses such as difficulties due to illegal and oppressive sanctions."

The statement further stressed that the defense ministry of Iran is persistently and seriously seeking the realization of the rights of the Iranian nation.

The Iranian defense ministry also pointed out that London should take practical and immediate steps to prevent the continuation of dissatisfaction and protest of the Iranian government and nation against the UK, noting: "The figures announced for the amount of UK debt in the media are merely speculative, and this amount is calculated in proportion to the time of payment."

The 450-million-pound debt to Iran relates to a contract to sell 1,500 Chieftain tanks and 250 armored vehicles to Iran in 1974 and 1976.

The Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Ben Wallace recently acknowledged the country's 40-year debt to Iran and said: "London is looking for a legal way to pay off this debt."

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