Iran Cmdr. hails Sacred Defense Week

Commander of the Iranian Army says conjuring up the memory of the eight-year war imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein helps inspire the nation.

“[This] week is a reminder of the memory of the eight-year Sacred Defense and its values which ultimately result in the self-assurance,” Major General Ataollah Salehi said on Friday.

“Those who declared war, including former US president [Jimmy] Carter and his aides, are still alive. They were hoping to teach Iran a lesson with this all-out attack ….The very same [people] are now advising US politicians not to engage in a military aggression against Iran,” General Salehi was quoted as saying by IRNA.

Every year the Sacred Defense Week honors the braveries of Iranian soldiers who fought in the 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed war and protected their country.

Amid a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, both Tel Aviv and Washington have repeatedly threatened Tehran with a military strike, based on allegations that Iran’s nuclear work may consist of a covert military agenda.

The latest threat of a military action was invoked by US Admiral Mike Mullen who claimed he was ready to start a war if he was convinced it would keep Iran from making a “bomb.” Mullen, however, acknowledged that he was concerned with the aftermaths of such a move.