Holy Defense, the Foundation of Independence

TEHRAN (Iran News) Sacred Defense Week, commemorated annually in Iran from September 22 to September 29, is a reminder of the eight years of heroic defense by the Iranian nation against the military aggression of the Ba’athist regime of Iraq. This period, recognized as the longest conventional war of the 20th century, stands as a symbol of resistance, sacrifice, national unity, and the independence of Iranians following the victory of the glorious Islamic Revolution.

The Sacred Defense was not merely a military war, but also a scene of national solidarity, faith, and the determination of a nation to preserve its territorial integrity and revolutionary values. The massive presence of people on the battlefronts—including youth, students, workers, and farmers—demonstrated the depth and breadth of this resistance.

The perseverance of the Iranian people throughout the eight years of the Sacred Defense brought numerous achievements: Preserving the territorial integrity of the country; Increasing defensive capability and military self-sufficiency; Strengthening the spirit of independence and self-reliance; Promoting national unity and social cohesion; and consolidating the regional position of the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran

Sacred Defense Week is an opportunity to: Honor the martyrs, the war veterans, and the freed prisoners of war; Pass on the values of the Sacred Defense to the younger generation; Reevaluate the achievements of the Sacred Defense era; and promote the culture of sacrifice and resistance

Various programs during this week—including memorial ceremonies, visits to operational zones, exhibitions, and the publication of cultural and artistic works—serve to keep alive the memory of those sacred and divine days.

The Sacred Defense imparts valuable lessons to future generations about resisting oppression, persevering under difficult conditions, and the importance of national unity. Preserving and transmitting these values is an invaluable legacy essential for the continuation of the nation’s path toward progress and independence.

Sacred Defense Week is not only a reminder of past bravery but also a beacon for the future, recalling the significance of resistance, unity, and faith in the face of challenges and threats. The very act of publicizing and remembering the foundation of resistance itself has a deterrent effect.

The European troika, along with the United States, witnessed the 12-day imposed war by the Zionist regime against Iran and have admitted that Iran’s resilient military capability and independence-seeking spirit—rooted in its sacred unity—do not allow the imposition of their demands.

The attempt to reinstate the sanctions of Resolution 1929, which lacks legal legitimacy within today’s international framework and will undoubtedly be ineffective, is analyzed and carried out in the shadow of this very resistance capability.

In confronting Western cultural erasure, the Iranian nation regards every failed Western-standard action as an experience, turning it into a foundation for deeper understanding of Western colonialist intentions.