Tehran, YJC. Iranian armed forces have staged a parade honoring the 34th anniversary of eight years of defense against Iraq's invasion of Iran under former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
The ceremony marking the "Sacred Defense Week” opened on
Monday at the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini
with a speech by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Press TV reports.
Military top brass were also present at the parade where the
latest achievements of the nation’s Armed Forces, including defense equipment
and other military hardware, were showcased.
September 22 is seen as one of the turning points in the
history of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It marks the anniversary of Iraq’s
invasion of Iran back in 1980.
Thirty four years ago, Sadaam Hussein, supported by major Western
and regional states, launched a massive military invasion of Iran. It came less
than two years after the Islamic Revolution.
A large number of volunteers joined the country's armed
forces to defend their country against the Iraqi aggression, under the
leadership the late Imam Khomeini.
The imposed war is commemorated in Iran as 8 years of Sacred
Defense. Each year, Iranian Armed Forces stage nationwide military parades to
mark the event.