TEHRAN—The tourism chief of Khorramshahr, a prime destination for war tourism in southwest Iran, has urged the need to protect properties to save the “Sacred Defense” culture and identity.

Immediate action should be taken to preserve and revive endangered monuments, in particular the nationally registered ones that are associated with Sacred Defense in Khorramshahr,” Sajjad Pakgohar said on Wednesday.

The 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq, known as ‘Sacred Defense’ in the Islamic Republic, was launched by the order of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein nearly 19 months after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

There is currently a limited number of historical monuments left in Khorramshahr because the majority of the city’s historical monuments were destroyed during the Iraqi-imposed war, Pakgohar stated.

“Preservation of those [the ruins and] buildings will develop war tourism in Khorramshahr… And from an international point of view, the move will help to attract foreign tourists to visit the city.”

In many countries such as France, Japan, China, Poland, and the U.S., which was once devastated by war, survived buildings have been preserved as historical monuments and tourist destinations, the official said.

According to Pakgohar, 25 spots have been identified in the port city which makes it a noteworthy destination when it comes to war tourism. “Khorramshahr is so great that right now we are facing a museum city because countless incidents took place in every neighborhood of the city.”

For now, the country has largely been restored, and very few signs of the war, apart from street names and murals of the martyrs on some streets, can be found. These are the areas where domestic travelers usually go by tour packages called “Rahian-e Nour” (“The Path of Light”).

Amongst many border cities directly involved in the 1980–1988 war, Khorramshahr is highly honored as a symbol of resistance during the war against Iraqi invaders. The port city is high on the ‘will go’ index of adventure travelers interested in such niche tourism.

The third of Khordad (May 24) marks the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr from Saddam Hussein’s invading army back in May 1982, when Iranians laid another foundation for sacrifice, resistance, and final victory with their blood. Iranian forces recaptured the southwestern strategic port city in a landmark operation code-named Beit al-Moqaddas.

AM