Iran showed off missiles, tanks and marching troops in a display of force following a record $38billion arms deal between the US and Israel.
The Islamic republic used the 36th anniversary of the start of the Iran-Iraq war to parade arms including 16 ballistic missiles through Tehran. A new missile with multiple warheads, called Zolfaghar, was also on show with a threat directed at Iran's arch-rival Israel written on the side of the truck transporting it.
'If the leaders of the Zionist regime make one false move, the Islamic republic will destroy Tel Aviv and Haifa,' it said, referring to two Israeli cities.
S-300 missiles delivered by Moscow this year were also on show in the capital. Other military parades were held elsewhere in the country. In the southern port city of Bandar Abbas 500 boats, submarines, fighter jets and helicopters gathered for a massed display of force.
In Tehran, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, declared Iran wanted peace.
But he said Iran's lessons in the 1980-88 war against Iraq now served as a guide for 'our brothers in faith' in Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Bahrain, countries where Iran has political, religious or military allies.
Islamic republic used 36th anniversary of Iran-Iraq war for show of force:
The United States and Israel in September signed a record 10-year military aid deal, despite increased disagreement over the Middle East peace process. General Bagheri said the deal between the 'American criminals' and Israel had reinforced Iran's determination to 'increase our defence capabilities'.
'The ultimate objective of the United States, the Zionist regime and those who support terrorist groups... is to destroy the infrastructure of Syria and Iraq in favour.'
Tehran has advisers on the ground in Iraq and also in Syria to help the military in both countries battle armed groups fighting the national governments. Iran also has fraught relations with its Gulf Arab neighbours, particularly Saudi Arabia.
The two countries, the Middle East's foremost Shiite and Sunni Muslim powers, support opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Tensions between them have also mounted over the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, from which Iranians were excluded this year.
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