“The experience of the eight-year Sacred Defense [against Iraq’s invasion] proved that, despite all limitations and pressures, lack of financial resources, and numerous problems, it is possible to stand up against bullying and excessive demands by global powers through firm determination and reliance on God,” the Leader said.
  
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks during a meeting with a number of high-ranking military and police commanders on Wednesday.

The Leader said that certain countries from the West and East along with their lackeys in the region formed a large military axis against the Islamic Republic during Iraq’s imposed war in the 1980s.

“This broad coalition sought to weaken, undermine and disgrace the Islamic establishment, put it in numerous troubles and ultimately lay the groundwork for the collapse of the Islamic Republic, but the Islamic establishment and the Iranian nation withstood this front and emerged victorious despite the lack of facilities and equipment and the existence of problems at that time,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran made “enormous” achievements although it sustained heavy costs in the war. 

Supported by major Western and regional states, Iraq’s executed dictator Saddam Hussein launched a massive military campaign against Iran in 1980. It came less than two years after the Islamic Revolution.

Iran’s Armed Forces along with a large number of volunteers defended the country against the Iraqi aggression.

The imposed war is commemorated in Iran as eight years of Sacred Defense.