"From Sacred Defense to Shrine Defense"

This week, a large crowd gathered in northern Iran to show their support for Iran’s military involvement in Syria and Iraq. The rally in Savadkuh, Mazandaran province, took place under the banner “From Sacred Defense to Shrine Defense.” The phrase is intended to tie heroic memories of the Iran-Iraq War to Iran's current military roles in Iraq and Syria. Earlier this year, President Hassan Rouhani justified Iranian military action as a mission to protect Shia holy sites. “The issue is not whether they are based in Iraq, Syria or other countries," he said. "We will not tolerate attempts by terrorists to assault the holy shrines of the Household [of Prophet Muhammad].” 

Mehr News Agency