Iran Marks National Army Day with Military Parades

In capital Tehran, a ceremony was held near the mausoleum of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, with high-ranking officials and senior military commanders in attendance.

President Hassan Rouhani delivered a speech before beginning of the parades.

Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari, and ranking commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) attended the ceremony.

A host of Army units put their latest achievements on display during the parades, known as an annual showcase for the Iranian Army’s latest achievements and equipment.

The military parades saw units from the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense Force displaying a broad range of advanced equipment such as missiles, tanks, armored vehicles, rifles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), fighter jets, radar systems and air defense missile systems.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

Iran maintains that its military might poses no threat to the regional countries, saying that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.