Iran supporting ME nations in anti-terror fight: Rouhani

President Hassan Rouhani has reaffirmed Iran’s support for “oppressed” nations in the region, saying the Iranian armed forces will help crisis-hit states in their fight against terror.

Addressing a large military parade held to mark the start of Sacred Defense Week on Monday, Rouhani described Iran as the “anchor of stability” in the strategic Middle East region and said Iran will stand by the “oppressed” nations anywhere.

“Regional nations will stand up to terrorism and the Iranian government and armed forces will also assist them in this battle,” President Rouhani stated.

The Iranian chief executive also hailed the resistance of regional nations in the face of enemies and said violence-stricken Middle Eastern states will ultimately overcome terrorist groups and foil plots hatched by hegemonic powers.

Rouhani hailed the sacrifices made by Iranian people and soldiers during the 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed war, saying enemies failed to bring the nation to its knees despite providing all-out support to Saddam’s Iraq during the eight-year war it imposed on Iran in the ’80s.

In recent years, hegemonic powers have waged a new economic war against the Iranian nation by imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its civilian nuclear program, the Iranian president added.

Rouhani reaffirmed the country’s determination to pursue its right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, saying the “peace-loving” nation of Iran has never sought to develop weapons of mass destruction.

The Sacred Defense Week commemorates the bravery of the Iranian soldiers who fought in the Iraqi-imposed war and defended their country against enemy aggression.