Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has hailed the resistance put up by the nation during the Iran-Iraq war, saying the experience of defense against Iraq's invasion proved it is possible to stand up to world powers despite problems.
"The experience of the eight-year Sacred Defense indicated that it is possible to resist the tyrannical policies and excessive demands of world powers in spite of hardships, pressure, lack of funds, and numerous problems," the Leader said in a meeting with high-ranking military and police officials in Tehran on Wednesday held on the occasion of Sacred Defense Week.
In Iran, the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war is known as the Sacred Defense, and Sacred Defense Week is held on the anniversary of the beginning of the war.
Sacred Defense Week begins on Shahrivar 31 in the Iranian calendar (September 23), which is the day Iraq invaded Iran and began the imposed war on the country in 1980.