Alwaght- Iran’s President, Hasan Rouhani, in commemoration of the National Army Day in Tehran said the country's powerful Armed Forces are defending and safeguarding the country’s national interests as well as geographical, political and cultural borders.
Rouhani in the military parade on Sunday highlighted the importance of the country’s defensive power by saying that "If arrogant powers and their mercenaries in the region cannot have a covetous eye on the Islamic Republic, it is because of the country's powerful Armed Forces."
Pointing to the convergence of Diplomacy and Armed Forces in Iran, the president stated: “Our diplomacy and Armed Forces pursue the same goal: national security, national might, stability, and development in the country,”
“We have the book, logic, prudence, and rationality in one hand, and the sword in the other hand, and we see these two beside each other,” he noted.
“If the Armed Forces serve to counter any aggression on our national interests, our diplomacy also aims to safeguard the Iranian nation’s rights in the arena of negotiation,” Rouhani added, stressing that the country needs soft power and hard power together.
Mr. Rouhani referred to the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul a few days ago and said: “I clearly announce here, just as I clearly announced in the presence of the heads of Islamic countries a few days ago, that the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including our military, political and economic power will not be [used] against neighbors and countries in the Muslim world.”
Also In the presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as well as senior army officials including Commander of Iranian Army Major General Amir Ataollah Salehi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firuzabadi, Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces Brigadier General Ahmadreza Pourdastan, Iranian Army displayed its latest home-made military tools, weapons and equipment in the large military parades in Tehran.
Performing an air maneuver over Imam Khomeini’s shrine comprising F14, F7, F5, F4, Lightining, Mig-29 and 707 tanker aircraft, Iran’s Air Force inaugurated X53 and X29L, PLG, Ghader, Nasr, Fakour, Fab-500, AM54 as well as MVE missiles.
Later, parts of the equipment and achievements of Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force units were presented including several bombs.
It is noteworthy that a 1000-pound bomb with LCG was also displayed during the ceremony marking Iran’s National Army Day.
Russia's S-300 surface-to-air missile system which was committed to be delivered to Iran in 2007 was also unveiled during the ceremony on Sunday morning.
A total of 35 pieces of equipment belonging to Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base were also shown in the parade in front of Imam Khomeini’s holy shrine.
The equipment included Kasta surveillance radars, 10 Shahrivar radar antennas, Kheibar reconnaissance system, Baser 2 and 3 reconnaissance systems, Fath 2 communication system as well as Rasul and Shahab communication systems.
Iran's Mersad SAM system was also displayed which uses a series of domestically produced Radars and Electronic Devices and is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
Indigenized Mersad air defense shield is a system completely developed by the Iranian experts and technicians to promote the country's combat power.
Hag and Rapier missile defense systems were shown at the ceremony while they have been designed by domestic industry professionals and are used against low and medium targets.
Rapier missile defense systems, designed to defend sensitive parts of the country near refineries and nuclear areas have been fully optimized and equipped with considerable operational capabilities, also marched during today’s ceremony.
Talaash-3 (Endeavor-3) system was also unveiled, a fully indigenized long-range missile defense system to be connected to surface-to-air systems like the S-200 missile.
The event later hosted the 23- mm-caliber cannon installed on Safir multipurpose vehicle which has been designed by Iranian experts for low altitudes.
