Iran showcases military power in parade

TEHRAN, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Iran marked its annual commemoration of the Iran-Iraq war with a national military parade and displays of air, ground and sea power.

Members of the elite Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and the Basij paramilitary volunteer force marched through the streets while staged maneuvers took place in various parts of the country.

The parades and displays of power were part of a weeklong event memorializing the brutal Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

Iranian air force commanders said the enemies of the Islamic republic were in for a "big surprise" by the defense capabilities of Iran, though few of the Iranian media outlets offered specifics about air force maneuvers Tuesday.

Several missiles were paraded through the streets, including the Azaraksh and Saeqeh systems, state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

Iranian military officials said recently their air defense system was capable of intercepting Cruise missiles.

Iran this year unveiled several new lines of military technology, including three stealth submarines and a rapid-fire 40mm anti-Cruise missile canon, dubbed Fath.

Iran in May launched its Sajjil-2 surface-to-surface missile that has a range capable of reaching Israel.