Iran plans to raise military budget by around 200%, gov't spokesperson says

Iran's government plans to raise its military budget by around 200%, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani was reported as saying by state media on Tuesday, after Iran and Israel exchanged attacks in recent months, Report informs via Reuters.

The planned defence budget increase is part of a budget proposal that has been submitted by the government to parliament for approval.

"A considerable raise that amounts to 200% has been witnessed in the country's defence budget," Mohajerani said, giving no further details.

Iran and Israel have been trading missile salvoes for months, with Israel on Saturday striking Iran in retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage against Israel on Oct. 1, much of which Israel said was downed by its air defences.

Tehran said on Monday that it will "use all available tools" to respond to Israel's weekend attack on military targets in Iran.

Iran backs militant group Hezbollah, which is engaged in heavy fighting with Israeli forces in Lebanon, and also the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is battling Israel in the Gaza Strip.