Iranian Armed Forces Start Nationwide Parades

The nationwide parades by various units of the Islamic Republic Army, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Law Enforcement Police and Basij (volunteer) forces started in Tehran and other cities across the country on Tuesday morning.

In Tehran, the ceremony took place at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, South of the capital.

The parades mark the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians’ sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s.

Different units of Iran’s military forces marched in uniform before top Army and IRGC commanders in a show of military might and defensive power.

The ceremony was participated by President Hassan Rouhani and senior military and government officials as well as foreign diplomats, military attaches and reporters.

Typical units of the Islamic Republic Army, the IRGC, Basij forces and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Law Enforcement Police participated in the parade.

Foreign delegates as well as military and civilian officials were also present in the ceremony. Ranking commanders of the Armed Forces also took part in the ceremony.

The latest military and defense achievements made by Iranian experts were put on display at the parades.

Head of the IRGC Public Relations Department General Ramezan Sharif announced on Monday that Iran planned to display its latest achievements in area of the missile industries in military parades on Tuesday.

“In this year’s parades, a part of the latest Armed Forces’ achievements in the missile, marine, ground, air defense and communications sectors will be displayed,” he told reporters.

The Iranian Armed Forces have recently test-fired different types of newly-developed missiles and torpedoes and tested a large number of home-made weapons, tools and equipment, including submarines, military ships, artillery, choppers, aircrafts, UAVs and air defense and electronic systems, during massive military drills.

Defense analysts and military observers say that Iran’s wargames and its advancements in weapons production have proved as a deterrent factor.

September 22 is the start of the Sacred Defense Week in Iran which marks the anniversary of the beginning of Iraqi-imposed war against the country in 1980.