TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Iran’s Armed Forces are the greatest anti-terrorism force in the world.

Rouhani made the remarks in a parade held to mark the beginning of the Iraqi invasion of Iran on September 22, 1980.

“Today the great forces against fright and terror are the armed forces of the Islamic republic of Iran,” the president noted.

The president went on to say that while the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps forces were fighting terrorist groups inside the country that suddenly they were entangled in war with a the heavily armed Iraqi army.

The resistance of Iranians against the invading forces of Saddam Hussein in the 1980s is known as “Sacred Defense”.

“The Sacred Defense turned the Iranian nation into an integrated and resistant nation against foreigners and aggressors,” he remarked.

Iran was still dealing with the problems following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, including the fight against terrorist groups like the MKO, that Suddenly Saddam Hussein’s army, with the support of some Arab countries, invaded Iran.

“After the revolution we were seeking to live in peace and friendship with our neighbors, (and) the message of the revolution was justice, independence for all neighboring nations” but “the great powers” encouraged Saddam Hussein to invade Iran, the president explained.

“They thought that with this invasion they can defeat the great (Iranian) nation,” the president said.

Elsewhere in his speech the president said Iran’s military might coupled with professional diplomacy brought the great powers to the negotiating table with Iran which ended in a nuclear deal.

-----No intention of attack against any country----

“We are proud of this Army, Sepah (IRGC), Basij, police forces, great nation and brave Leader. We are united and hand in hand and with the will of God will resolve all problems,” the president explained.

“We will build a more developed and happier Iran and tell the world that the great, powerful, lively and resistant Iranian nation will stand against all aggressions, has no intention of aggression but it will bravely defend its land and nation.”

The president went on to say that Iran is ready to help its neighbors in fight against terrorism.

Iran rushed to the help of Iraq and Syria upon the request of these countries’ governments and today it is ready to back other neighboring countries in fight against terrorism.


NA/PA