Recent Events in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz

Internationally-banned chemical weapons used against Iran in the Imposed War
On April 17,1915 AD, chemical gases were used for the first time in a war. In this inhuman measure, which took place during World War I, German forces attacked British and French forces with chemical gas, killing a large number of them. Following the end of World War I, the use of chemical weapons was banned as per international treaties, but this did not prevent the US to use chemicals against the Vietnamese in the 1960s and 1970s. The US, along with Germany, also supplied internationally-banned chemical weapons to Saddam for use against Iran during the 1980-88 imposed war. In addition to martyring and maiming a large number of Iranian civilians and combatants, while the UN and the West turned a blind eye to his crimes, Saddam also used chemical weapons on the Iraqi Kurdish town of Halabche massacring over 5,000 men, women, and children, and maiming more than 10,000 others, for welcoming the Iranian combatants as liberators from Ba’thist rule.

“Army Dayâ€‌
On April 18, 1979, the Iranian Army, cheered by the masses, staged glorious parades in different regions of Iran, swearing allegiance to the Father of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), and emphasizing its loyalty to the Islamic Republic System. This day is thus marked as “Army Dayâ€‌ in the Islamic Republic of Iran every year.

United States launched unprovoked attacks on Iranian naval forces in the Persian Gulf
On April 19, 1988 AD, the United States launched unprovoked attacks on Iranian naval forces in the Persian Gulf in support of Saddam the Ba’th minority dictator of Baghdad, in an operation codenamed 'Praying Mantis'. This was the largest naval battle since World War II. The Iranian navy put up a brave fight in the face of heavy odds with the frigates Sahand and Joshan challenging the American ships, along with a flotilla of speed boats backed by aircraft. Because of superior fire power, the US navy damaged Jowshan and sank a few boats, but after an exchange of missile volleys with Sahand, it backed off. Earlier the Americans had scuttled the merchant ship Iran Ajr and attacked Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf.

US unilaterally severed diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran
On April 9, 1980 AD, the US unilaterally severed diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The pretext for the US, which never ceased to plot against the Islamic Revolution, was the takeover of its embassy in Tehran by revolutionary students who resented its turning into a den of spies in violation of diplomatic norms. Imam Khomeini (RA) called this move by the US as the only good thing Washington has done to the Iranian people, because the ties were misused for decades to oppress Iran and plunder its resources. The US has continued to plot against Iran in all spheres – political, economic, military, cultural, scientific etc. – but has failed to succeed, thanks to the Iranian nation's resolve to attain self-sufficiency in different fields.

The committed Iranian artist and author, Seyyed Morteza Aavini
On April 9, 1993 AD, the committed Iranian artist and author, Seyyed Morteza Aavini, attained martyrdom at the age of 47. He started his cultural activities at a young age and soon obtained MA in Architecture from Tehran University. An ardent supporter of the Islamic Revolution, he volunteered for service at the warfronts during the 8-year war imposed by the US through Saddam. He played a pivotal role in shaping Iran’s revolutionary cinema, making more than 100 documentaries for IRIB. He was martyred due to a mine explosion, while making a documentary on the imposed war in a border area of southern Iran.

The Islamic Republic of Iran gained access to uranium enrichment technology for peaceful use of nuclear energy
On April 9, 2006 AD, the Islamic Republic of Iran gained access to uranium enrichment technology for peaceful use of nuclear energy. Iranian scientists, despite the restrictions imposed by the US and its European accomplices, completed the nuclear fuel production cycle by producing the needed uranium for atomic power stations. Iran thus joined the countries that have mastered nuclear technology. A year later on this date Iran formally started nuclear fuel production on the industrial level. Iran achieved these successes under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and within framework of rules of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iraqi warplanes chemically bombarded the western Iranian city of Marivan
On April 10, 1988 AD, Iraqi warplanes chemically bombarded the western Iranian city of Marivan and a village in its vicinity, martyring and wounding a large number of civilians. This crime against humanity was carried out with the tacit approval of the US and West European regimes, which had supplied the repressive Ba’th minority regime of Saddam with internationally-banned chemical gases. Also on this day, the Ba’thist forces chemically bombarded the Faw operational zone on the southernmost tip of the Iran-Iraq border, martyring and wounding many people.

Lieutenant General Ali Sayyad Shirazi martyred by MKO terrorists
On April 10, 1999 AD, Lieutenant General Ali Sayyad Shirazi, the acting commander of Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces General Headquarters and a veteran of the 8-year holy defence during the war the US had imposed through Saddam, was martyred by MKO terrorists in Tehran at the age of 55 years. Born in a village in northeastern Iran, following completion of high school he joined the military academy. He was an opponent of the Shah’s despotic regime and suffered imprisonment as a result. He was freed from prison with the victory of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979, and on rehabilitation in the armed forces, selflessly served the Islamic Republic by actively participating in the battles against the Ba’thist invaders on the warfronts. In 1981, the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) appointed him commander of the Army’s Ground Forces. Martyr Sayyad Shirazi played a pivotal role during the 8-year imposed war and continued his yeoman services in its aftermath till he achieved martyrdom.

The unjust verdict of a local German court, under influence of the illegal Zionist entity, Israel
On April 11, 1997 AD, a day after the unjust verdict of a local German court, under influence of the illegal Zionist entity, Israel, against the Islamic Republic of Iran’s high-ranking officials, member states of the European Union recalled their ambassadors from Tehran. Known as the Mykonos Case after the name of a Greek restaurant in Berlin in which an Iranian Kurdish figure was mysteriously killed, the kangaroo court was proof of the sham trial in a futile bid to pressure Iran. In response to EU’s unwarranted and highly politicized decision, Iran dismissed as baseless the allegations and claims of the German court, recalling its ambassadors from EU member states. As Islamic Iran refused to budge from its principled position, the EU ambassadors gradually returned to Tehran.

Establishment of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)
On April 22, 1979 AD, the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Late Imam Khomeini (RA) ordered establishment of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). Based on his instructions, the main duty of IRGC is protection of the Islamic Revolution in the face of domestic and foreign enemies. Since its formation IRGC has decisively confronted anti-revolutionary groups, which had staged armed and separatist moves in different parts of the country.
The IRGC personnel showed their skill and valour during the 8-year war imposed on Iran by the US through Saddam, thereby thwarting enemy designs. After termination of the imposed war, IRGC has maintained its military preparedness in the face of possible enemy threats against the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Iran and actively participated in different development projects.

Iran's courageous helicopter pilot, Captain Ali Akbar Shiroudi
On April 28, 1981 AD, Iran's courageous helicopter pilot, Captain Ali Akbar Shiroudi, attained martyrdom during an operation in western Iran against Saddam's Ba'thist occupation forces. Earlier, he had played a key role by clearing the border areas from the foreign-backed mercenaries. In one of his famous operations with two other helicopters, his team blew at least 50 Iraqi tanks. In one of his successful missions, he achieved his long-lasting wish of martyrdom.