TEHRAN – Iran commemorated National Armed Forces Day on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and a number of high-ranking military officials. 

 

In the ceremony, which took place near the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, thousands of troops held a military parade in which military vehicles and equipment were also put on display.

 

Addressing the military personnel, Ahmadinejad said that the presence of foreign forces in the Persian Gulf will make the region insecure.

 

He also reiterated Tehran’s position that only regional countries can safeguard the security in the Persian Gulf.  

 

“Security in the Persian Gulf will be promoted with the participation of regional countries, and the interference of foreigners will bring nothing but insecurity,” he said.

 

He added that the Islamic Republic is ready to cooperate with regional countries to protect the security of the Persian Gulf region. 

 

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad said that Iranian military is prepared to give a crushing response to any possible aggression.   

 

Military equipment on display 

 

Advanced military equipment, the new generation of the Zolfiqar tank, the Samsam tank, the Borragh personnel carrier, the Naze’at missile launcher, the Misaq 2 missile launcher, the Badr tank transporter, and advanced radar and missile systems went on display in the military parade.

 

In addition, a number of helicopters and fighter jets made an overflight and airborne forces did parachute jumps. 

 

Iran to hold joint military maneuvers with regional countries  

 

The commander of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Ataollah Salehi, also told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony that Iran plans to hold joint military exercises with some regional countries during the current Iranian calendar year, which started on March 20.  

 

He also said that Iran will protect the security of the region in cooperation with regional countries. 

 

On Israeli officials’ recent threatening remarks against Iran, he said that the Zionist regime is not in a position to invade any country, adding that Israel is facing defeats in political and military spheres. 

 

On the U.S.-proposed missile defense shield in the Persian Gulf region, the commander said that the plan is only a publicity stunt which is only a figment of their imagination.