Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei paid tribute to Iranian martyrs in a message on the occasion of the Sacred Defense Week.

“(The martyrs’) sincere sacrifice and that of other self-sacrificing warriors gave victory to the Iranian nation, and their pure blood marked the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic on the forefront of history,” Imam Khamenei said in the message.

It was read out at a ceremony in Tehran by the Leader’s representative in the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs on Thursday, which marks the day of commemorating martyrs and self-sacrificing warriors.

“This is the great lesson of those role models of self-sacrifice. Wherever there is sincere effort, there is victory and honor as well. And the Iranian nation will never forget this valuable memento,” the message added.

In Iran, the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war is known as the Sacred Defense, and the Sacred Defense Week is held on the anniversary of the beginning of the war in September.

Source: Iranian media