Iran showcases its military might

Iranian soldiers march during the Army Day parade in Tehran

Iran used its annual Army Day parade on Sunday to showcase parts of a long-awaited air defence system ordered from Russia, a move likely to irk critics of the arms deal.
The S-300 system has been on order since 2007 but Russia postponed the sale three years later after the UN Security Council passed a resolution relating to Iran's nuclear programme.
A deal between Iran and six world powers over its nuclear activities which lifted sanctions in January removed the barriers to delivery but the fully operational system is still awaited.
According to pictures published by the semi-official Isna news agency, S-300 missile tubes and the radar equipment were shown during the military parade held in southern Tehran.
Iran insists the system is necessary to defend itself from threats of attack, including possible bombing of its nuclear facilities, and the S-300 would allow early detection of approaching aircraft.
Iran and Russia are also in talks on a sale of the Sukhoi SU-30 fighter, another proposal criticised by the US.
Speaking at Sunday's parade, President Hassan Rohani insisted Iran's plans to upgrade its military capabilities were defensive in nature, referring to the worst conflicts in the Middle East.
"Our military, political and economic power is not directed against neighbouring countries and the countries of the Islamic world.
"When Baghdad was threatened by terrorists, the Islamic Republic of Iran responded to the call of the people, the army and the Iraqi government to defend Baghdad," he said, referring to the surge of Daesh group in June 2014.
The same action was taken in Syria, where Iran has supported President Bashar Al Assad's government with military and financial aid, he added.
Rohani vowed to defend Muslim countries against terrorism and Israel. "If tomorrow your capitals face danger from terrorism or Zionism, the power that will give you a positive answer is the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.
But he added that Iran would only help if Muslim countries asked it to.

• MENA