Iran marks end of Iran-Iraq war

Source: CCTV.com

09-25-2006 14:00

Iran's armed forces have marked the 18th anniversary of the end of the war with Iraq. First Vice President Parviz Davoudi attended the annual parade at the shrine to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the father of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The military parade is held every year on the first day of "Holy Defense Week." It commemorates those killed in the 8-year Iran-Iraq war, which erupted 25 years ago.

Held amidst the current nuclear standoff with the west, the annual parade was also used as an occasion to showcase Iran's military prowess, and its ability to defend itself. Displayed at the parade were two trailer-mounted Shahab-3 missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers.

Parviz Davoudi, Iranian first vice president said, "We seek peace, but it is necessary to warn war-seeking aggressors, and all those who seek more than their rights, to forget the idea of attacking our country."

A deadline has been set for early next month to reach a deal with Tehran on the nuclear issue. If Iran still refuses to suspend uranium enrichment by then, six world powers, namely the 5 permanent Security Council members and Germany, will call for UN sanctions to be imposed. The US says it wants a diplomatic solution to the dispute, but insists all options remain on the table.

Editor:Sun Luying