The Liberation of Khorramshahr was the Iranian recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr from the Iraqis on May 24, 1982 during the Iran–Iraq War. The Saddam forces had captured the city early in the war on October 26, 1980.
The successful retaking of the city was part of Operation Beit al-Moqaddas. It is perceived as a turning point in the imposed war and the liberation is celebrated in Iran on its anniversary, 24 May.
The special circles and gatherings are also held to remember the sacrifices made by martyrs during those tough war- time.
The Islamic revolution strengthened the cause of oppressed people and nations and made them learned how to defend themselves against tyrants and aggressive powers.
The founder of the Islamic Republic had repeatedly warned the international community against the crimes the Iraqi dictator was committing against the Iraqi people and the Iranian nation.
Months after the victory of revolution in Iran, foreign powers and regional dictators armed Saddam to launch an all-out war against the peaceful Iranian nation.
They wanted to damage the Iranian nation and weaken the revolution from very beginning.
However, the masses and all stratum of the Iranian society became united under the flag of Imam's leadership to defend the Islamic system and values and confront the global colonialist powers and dictatorial regimes.
Imam mobilized all domestic sources and forces to defend the borders and Islamic- human values.
Imam had given special instruction to forces and had denied any use of forces against civilians or issued orders against misbehaving with prisoners of war.
The 8-year long war imposed by the regional and global powers against Iran met with failures. But the sacrifices made by the Islamic Iranian youth will be remembered forever. The Iranian forces defended their land and values with considering all moral and humane values.
The great spiritual leader of the Islamic world had also predicted that those who were supporting Saddam should expect one day that this stupid dictator will also turn against them. Imam prediction came true years after Saddam invaded some more Arab regional countries.
Imam delivered a historic message following the victory of Khorramshahr and we bring some parts of it as under:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to the Omnipotent God who favored and supported the Islamic country and the committed and selfless combatants, granting us the great victory….
Congratulations and thousands of congratulations to you the dear troops of Islam on this great victory achieved by the grace of God. We had insignificant losses and endless booty while thousands of the wretched, devious troops of the enemy who were either deceived or coerced by the Takriti Saddam, this super criminal of the time, were killed, wounded or held captives. You proudly brought eternal honor and gift for Islam and the dear country. Congratulations to the powerful commanders who command such selfless combatants, whose twinkling star of victories will sparkle in history up to the blowing of the trumpet! Congratulations to the honorable people of Iran with such brave and selfless children who immortalized their name and the country! Congratulations to the great Islam with such followers who took the examination victoriously and proudly in the two fronts of war against inward and outward enemy, triggering honor for Islam!....
In the presence of God Almighty I fulfilled my divine duty. Let us now raise our hands in supplication towards the One God and pray for the armed forces of Islam and devotees of the Holy Qur'an and dear Iran, imploring God to grant them health, happiness and victory.
Endless greetings and salutations to the committed commanders of the armed forces and the selfless combatants as well as the brave and jubilating people of Iran! May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Later years the founder of the Islamic Republic said he considers acceptance of the resolution as a move in the interest of the revolution and the system.
The imposed war drew to a close in August 1988, when Iran, in compliance with international laws, accepted the Resolution 598 of UN Security Council and the great Imam endorsed the resolution.
"Concerning the acceptance of the Resolution, which is indeed a bitter and unpleasant matter for all especially for me, until a few days ago I believed in the same mode of defense and stance that was announced during the war, considering the interest of the system, the country and the revolution in its implementation. However, owing to the events and factors, which I will presently refrain from mentioning with the hope that God make them clear in the future and by taking into account the view of all the high-ranking political and military experts of the country on whose commitment, sympathy and sincerity I rely, I agreed to accept the resolution and ceasefire," Imam Khomeini said.
The religious and spiritual leader of the Muslim world also said he made a painful decision of endorsing the resolution intended to advance the interests of the Islamic Republic and the Muslims.
"Right now, I consider acceptance of the resolution as a move in the interest of the revolution and the system. God knows that if it were not because of the motive that all of us as well as our honor and credibility must be sacrificed for the interest of Islam and Muslims, we would never be satisfied with this act while death and martyrdom are more pleasant for me. But what shall be done that all should be sacrificed in pleasing God, the Exalted? Certainly, the heroic and valiant nation of Iran has also been so and will remain so.," the great Imam added
The imposed war began in 1980, a year after the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution, when Iraq, supported by global world powers, invaded Iran by launching aerial and ground incursions into Iranian territories.
The Western support took the forms of economic and technological aid, military intelligence, the sale of dual-use and military equipment, and as for the US, direct conflict with Iranian forces.
The war drew to a close in August 1988, when Iran, in compliance with international laws, accepted the Resolution 598 of UN Security Council as the conflict had already claimed many innocent lives.
The founder of the Islamic Republic was worried about the US presence in the region and that the war might spread to other countries. Given that the continuation of war could be against Iran's interests, the country decided to accept ceasefire.