40 Photos, 40 Memories: Iran-Iraq War on 40th Anniversary
The Iraqi-imposed war on Iran officially began on September 22, 1980 when the Iraqi military launched offensives against southern and western Iranian cities and conducted an airstrike on Mehrabad International Airport in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
39. Kurdistan, Saqqez, Spring 1984 – IRGC and devoted forces being deployed after clearing the village
Although people residing in the cities of Qasr-e Shirin, Kermanshah and Sarpol-e Zahab near the western border with Iraq had been under Iraqi artillery fire for a month, no one would have thought that Iraq wanted to launch a war against Iran to conquer the country.
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein intended to capture Tehran in three days’ time, but Iranian people resisted for eight years and foiled the plots hatched by the former Baghdad regime and its masters.
The following photos, prepared in collaboration with the Photographers of the Revolution and Holy Defense’s Association, recollect eight years of war, altruism and resistance of Iranian people:
1. Khoramshahr, September 25, 1980 – a number of youths with just a little equipment preparing to defend the country against the Iraqi military aggression.
2. Tehran, Khayyam St., April 17, 1988 – people and aid workers carrying out operations to search for and rescue citizens wounded in Iraqi air raids.
3. Tehran, Khazaneh Bokharaei, April 1985 – rescue workers pull a woman alive from the rubble after a day of efforts.
4. Ahvaz, Local Martyrs’ Cemetery – June 1982 – a mourning ceremony at the tomb of a martyr who fell in Beitulmoqaddas military operation.
5. Tehran, 7th of Tir Sq., March 1988
6 & 7. Tehran, Amirieh, underground war shelter at Sharaf high school / March 1988.
6 & 7. Tehran, Amirieh, underground war shelter at Sharaf high school / March 1988.
8. Tehran, Imam Khomeini St., Outside Iranian Parliament, 1985 – a mother bidding farewell to her son before he is sent to the frontline.
9. Tehran, Malek Ashtar Base, 1984 – a mother kissing her son’s face at the moment he is leaving for the frontline
10. Tehran, Jomhoori Eslami St., 1986 – a soldier saying goodbye before leaving for the frontline.
11. Tehran, Railway Station, autumn 1984 - Basij forces being deployed to operation zones.
12. Ahvaz, February 1987 – martyrs’ mothers and other women sewing, mending and washing clothes, blankets, tents and sleeping bags.
13. Ahvaz, February 1987 – men charged with repairing devices, boots and individual equipment as well as stretchers.
14. Operation Valfajr 4 Zone, Kurdistan, north of Marivan, October 1983 – Distribution of food at the camp before troops are sent to the frontline.
15. Hoor-ul-Howeizeh, Khuzestan, February 22, 1984 – day when Khaybar Operation was conducted.
16. Iraq, Penjwen, Kani Manga heights, Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah, October 1983 – Mehdi Baqeri, the commander of Brigade 31 of Ashura (seen on the left) inspecting his troops during the operation. He was later martyred in Operation Badr and his body went missing in the Tigris River.more
17. Operation Karbala 5 zone, Iraq, March 1987 – an Iranian soldier has fallen asleep in the canal due to fatigue after a long trek.
18. Iraq, Penjwen, October 1983 – taking a rest after phase one of Operation Valfajr 4
19. Iraq, north of Al-Qurnah – March 18, 1985 – troops taking part in Operation Badr
20. Frontline in Ashura operation zone, Ilam, October 1984
21. Iraq, Basra, July 27, 1982 – those wounded in an Iraqi counteroffensive during Operation Ramadan
22. Iraq, Basra, Operation Ramadan Operation zone, July 1982 – enemy’s counterattacks, a shortage of ammunition and a lack of some equipment has made troops’ advancement difficult.
23. Iraq, north of Al-Qurnah, March 1985 – Operation Badr
24. Iraq, east Basra, Operation Karbala 5 zone, January 1987 – the moment a Basiji was martyred.
25. Iraq, Hoor-al-Azim, March 18, 1985 – the body of a photographer being taken to the backup line during an operation.
26. Iraq, Al-Qurnah, Majnoon Island, March 1, 1984 – Iraq used chemical weapons in this operation.
27. Andimeshk, April 1983 – rescue operations and initial efforts to evacuate those wounded in Operation Valfajr One
28. Khorramshahr, the Great Mosque, May 24, 1982 – soldiers happy after the liberation of Khorramshahr
29. May 24, 1982 – a young Iranian soldier transferring Iraqi POWs
30. Iraq, Majnoon Island, February 25, 1984 – Iraqi POWs in Kheibar Operation zone (During its war with Iran, Iraq used troops with Sudanese, Jordanian, Moroccan and other nationalities)
31. Khorramshahr, July 1982 – obstacles set up by the Iraqi military around the city to prevent heliborne operations by Iran
32 and 33. Iraq, Halabja, March 17, 1988 – the Iraqi military’s gas attack on defenseless people of Halabja
32 and 33. Iraq, Halabja, March 17, 1988 – the Iraqi military’s gas attack on defenseless people of Halabja
34. Kermanshah, Givi camp, April 1988 – after Saddam Hussein regime’s gas attack on Halabja, people of Iraq’s Kurdistan took refuge along Iran’s borders and were housed in numerous camps set up by Iran.more
35. Housing and treatment, at Iran Khodro sports complex, of those wounded in Iraq’s chemical attack on Halabja, April 1988
36. Kermanshah, Khosravi border, August 17 – a freed Iranian POW shedding tears of joy upon arrival on Iranian soil
37. Tehran, Nezamabad, August 1990- locals jumping for joy and welcoming home an Iranian POW
38. Tehran, Narmak, August 1990 – family and people happy to hug an Iranian POW
39. Kurdistan, Saqqez, Spring 1984 – IRGC and devoted forces being deployed after clearing the village
40. Khorramshahr, 1982, during the occupation of the city and the exchange of fire by both sides, the Iranian flag remained hoisted next to the Karun river.
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