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.

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.

YH/NN/HRB