An Iranian medium range missile Zelzal passes by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, on September 22, 2017 in Tehran.
Rouhani vowed that Iran would boost its ballistic missile capabilities despite criticism from the United States and also France. (AFP PHOTO)

TEHRAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran's armed forces staged military parades on Friday to mark the start of the Week of Defense, commemorating Iranian sacrifices during the eight-year Iraq-Iran war in the 1980s.

The Iranian armed forces remembered the 1980-1988 war between Iraq and Iran by holding a parade in which Iran's most advanced military power and abilities are showcased.

Iran's army, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the volunteer militia Basij forces participated in the parade.

Iran also displayed myriad of its home-made advanced missiles, including ballistic missiles, which are reported to have a range of 1,300 km-2,000 km.

The new Iranian long range missile Khoramshahr (front) is displayed during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, on September 22,2017 in Tehran. (AFP PHOTO)

An Iranian Russian-made s-300 missile is displayed during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, on September 22,2017 in Tehran. (AFP PHOTO)

In the capital Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at the event that Iran will continue its missile capabilities and defense programs heedless of western pressures.

"We will develop our defensive and military power as much as necessary ..., and to this end Iran seeks no permission from anybody," he said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers his speech during the annual military parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of its devastating 1980-1988 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, on September 22, 2017 in Tehran. (AFP PHOTO)

He stressed that Iran's military power will be deployed for deterrent purposes.

Iran will defend the oppressed people of Yemen, Syria, and Palestine despite the will of some arrogant powers, he maintained.

The Iranian president reiterated his despise to recent U.S. and Israel stances against the Islamic republic in the UN General Assembly.

Washington and Tel Aviv accused Tehran of destabilizing the Middle East and supporting terror, which Iranian officials vehemently rejected.