On September 22, 1980, Saddam Hussein’s army invaded Iran, initiating the eight-year Imposed War, shortly after Iran’s Islamic revolution. The conflict, viewed by Iranians as an act of aggression, sparked a strong resistance movement known as the Sacred Defense. Despite Iran’s efforts to have Iraq recognized as the aggressor, major international powers, including the UN Security Council, remained silent. The war’s motivations included territorial ambitions over the oil-rich Khuzestan region. Annually, Iran commemorates the conflict with military parades during Sacred Defense Week, reflecting national unity and resilience, while the war’s legacy continues to influence regional geopolitics.