Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said his country is not fearful of enemy pressures and will continue to reinvigorate its army to have a stronger support for the Islamic Republic.

We are not fearful of the enemy pressures," the president said addressing military parades in Southern Tehran on Monday, and added, "Iranians are a peace-loving nation that has, does and will never plan to invade any other country because we do not want to have more food at the table through launching war and manufacturing weapons like what is done by some western countries that gain more food for their table by (shedding) the blood of other nations."

Yet, the president said Iran will continue resistance against pressures, relying on its own industrious efforts and economy.

 

He further praised the Iranian Armed Forces for their frequent advancements and military achievements, including designing and production of new home-made weapons systems, in recent years to have "the most powerful Armed Forces in the region".

"The government will support the Armed Forces to reinvigorate them with all its power and capability and it holds no doubt that these forces will be a strong backup for Iran as a country and its ruling system," added the president.

He further noted insecurity and chaos in the region, and said Iran has managed to contribute to the Middle-East stability by standing against terrorism.

"The Iranian nation will (continue to) stand against terrorists and the Armed Forces and government of the Islamic Republic will help each other in this ground," the president underlined.

 

Rouhani also voiced pleasure in "the victories of the Iraqi, Syrian, Gaza, Palestinian and Afghan nations, and said, "We are happy to see that nations have now been able to stand united against plots."

The Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s, officially started on Monday with nationwide parades by various units of the Islamic Republic Army, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Basij (volunteer) forces in Tehran and other cities across the country.

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

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

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.

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 equipments, 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.