Iran has been celebrating their Sacred Defense Week commemorating the 25 year anniversary of the end of their war with Iraq. (*see note 1)
Rouhani was in the viewing stand.
Reportedly before the parade he gave a speech calling for a diplomatic
approach to the West. There are lots of wartoys
in this video. As for me I am fascinated
with the four-wheeler ATVs. Most of them
have a standing passenger carrying a shoulder launched SAM or antitank
rocket launcher. I looked for the motorcyclists made famous in the Iran-Iraq War
carrying a backseater with an RPG dueling
with Iraqi tanks, but did not see any. What
really stumped me was the United Nations contingent. Starting about minute 3:15 there is a detachment
of UN or lookalikes – UN vehicles, blue flags, and some guys with blue berets. I believe there is still a UN team in
Iran. But why would they march in a
military parade? Or more puzzling, why
would the Iranians allow it?
There is quite a bit of armor, most were the Iranian built <i>Zulfiqar</i>
named after the legendary sword of Ali. But
I thought I saw an American made M-60 or two. And it looked like there were a couple of old
American made Long Tom 175s. Rockets and
missiles got the biggest chunk of parade space.
There were lots of them, scores of different types that I could not
ID. Can anyone identify the boxy looking
missile at minute 13:15, or is that some kind of drone? The IRIN was
well represented also. In addition to
some truck mounted models of an Iranian frigate and a submarine, they showed
off several fast patrol boats. Just past
minute 15:55 after the sleek looking cigarette boat type patrol craft they show
what appears to be a one-man submarine.
There is a better look at it ten seconds later. And then there are the big ballistic
missiles near the end of the video, where the announcer keeps yelling Walla
Walla Akbar (*see note 2). I am sure that segment will be enough to make some of the right wing
chickenhawks in this country wet their diapers.
This was only one part of the parade.
There are two other segments on youtube with bands and various units marching
by the reviewing stand. Long and boring unless you speak Farsi. Lots of
chanting. Some of the units were wearing
a colorful sash that would have made a 19th century European
diplomat proud. Some of the sashes
sported tulips, maybe signifying martyrs? I saw some yellow flags which could signify
Hezbollah, or maybe not? March steps were different in each unit. Many had a stomp-slide-stomp-slide step. Only the Navy that I saw did a goose step. No women in uniform :-( bummer!
note (*1) The war that
George W Bush finally won for Iran when he invaded Iraq ten years ago.
note (*2) just a little Washington State humor.
note (*2) just a little Washington State humor.
