Iran has launched production of a mid-size submarine it says will be able to fire missiles and torpedoes.

Mostafa Mohammed Najjar (file photo)

Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said on state television that Iran held the inaugural ceremony for the production line Monday.

Tehran in the past has said it owns several Russian-made subs and some smaller, Iranian-made submarines.

Earlier this month, Iran announced it had successfully test-launched a rocket capable of carrying a domestically-built satellite into space. Tehran also said it has upgraded its warplanes to fly 3,000 kilometers without refueling.

The United States and its allies suspect Iran is also working to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has rejected Western demands to stop enriching uranium, which can be used to fuel nuclear bombs. Iran says its nuclear activities are only meant to generate electricity.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.