RNA - "Today, the Americans are leading a type of state terrorism in disguise of human rights and democracy-seeking but imposition of sanctions against the Iranian nation will bear no results but disgrace for the US administration," Larijani said on Saturday morning in th Southern province of Hormozgan, addressing the Armed Forces' parades to mark the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s.
He referred to the US and its allies' attempts to prevent Iran from making progress in defense and missile fields, and said, "The experience of (the Iraqi-imposed) war (against Iran in 1980s) showed that self-reliance is the only way to strengthen the Armed Forces, and today, military technological progresses, specially in the missile field, is a way to protect our nation against the impudent foreigners."
In relevant remarks earlier today, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described missiles as his country's most effective weapons, stressing that Tehran would further reinvigorate its defensive power irrespective of enemies' opposition and pressures.
"Iran will not abandon its defensive weapons and missiles and it will increase its defense power day by day," President Rouhani said on Saturday morning in Tehran, addressing participants in the military parades.
He added that the enemies are angry at Iran's missiles which means that missiles are the country's most effective weapons, noting, "Therefore, with their remarks, we understand the value of our missiles more."
President Rouhani said that the enemies want Iran to abandon its defensive weapons and missiles and seek to limit its presence in the region which belongs to the regional nations, including the Iranians, and added, "Now the question is why you are present in the region thousands of kilometers away from your home."
He termed Iran the guardian of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Indian Ocean and Bab al-Mandab Strait for centuries, and said, "Of course, Iran is a great and influential country in the region and will not keep silence on the oppression and aggression against the regional nations."
Elsewhere, he compared US President Donald Trump who withdrew from the internationally-endorsed 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein who tore apart the past agreements with Iran and attacked the country in 1980s, and said that Trump will have the same fate as Saddam.
Various units of the Islamic Republic Army, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Law Enforcement Police and Basij (volunteer) forces started nationwide parades in Tehran and other cities across the country on Saturday morning.
According to Fars News Agancy, in Tehran, the ceremony took place at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, South of the capital.
The parades mark the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s.
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 in Tehran was participated by senior military and government officials, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri and President Rouhani, 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 parades.
Also, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and other commanders of the IRGC, Army and Basij forces participated in a similar ceremony in the Southern province of Hormozgan and the territorial waters in the Persian Gulf.
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.
Different surface and subsurface vessels, air force and naval units of the Army and the IRGC participated in the parades in the Persian Gulf.
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