Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a message marking the anniversary of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war that martyrdom is the reward of struggle, whether in that conflict or in more recent battles.
“Martyrdom is the reward of jihad, whether in the eight-year defense, in the heroic 12-day war, or in Lebanon and Gaza and Palestine,” Khamenei said in a message read at Tehran’s Behesht Zahra cemetery, where ceremonies for “Week of Sacred Defense” were held.
He added: “Nations grow with these struggles and shine with these martyrdoms.”
Khamenei said this year’s commemoration “has acquired another dimension with the martyrdom of a number of prominent figures of the resistance path and brave young people in various places.”
He called on Iranians to “believe in God’s promise of the triumph of truth and the downfall of falsehood and remain committed to our duty in supporting God’s religion.”
Earlier this week, Iran announced rare changes to its annual military parades, calling off at least two events over what it called security concerns and the need to prioritize military readiness.
The parades, traditionally held during Defense Week beginning on September 22, came this year in the aftermath of 12-day war with Israel in June that dealt the Islamic Republic one of its biggest ever military blows.
