国际英语新闻：Iran marks Week of Defense as parade hit by deadly bomb attack

TEHRAN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian armed forces staged military parades throughout the country on Wednesday to mark the beginning of the Week of Defense as a deadly bombing attack killed at least eleven and injured dozens in the country.

The Iranian armed forces remembered the 1980-1988 war between Iraq and Iran and commemorated Iranian sacrifices during the eight- year war 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.

Joint Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Hassan Firouzabadi, said at the ceremony that the Islamic Republic enjoys high military capabilities, vigilance and readiness for defensive and deterrence purposes.

Firouzabadi hailed Iran as the top military power in the Middle East and said that the military might of the Islamic Republic can thwart the enemies' ill-wishes and plots against the country.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran's enemy is becoming weaker than ever, local Press TV reported Wednesday.