TEHRAN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday hailed the "might" and achievements of the army in the past few years as the country celebrated the national Army Day.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the event, Ahmadinejad said the Iranians will maintain security of the Persian Gulf through a collective work of regional states.

Different units of Iranian Army staged parades in the ceremony to show the latest Iranian military achievements, especially those in missile technology.

Ahmadinejad blamed foreign forces for the cause of insecurity in the region. "Since the foreigners entered the region, insecurity emerged; and basically the presence of foreigners has been the cause of insecurity in the region."

He said the Iranian Army is capable of defending the nation's interests and sovereignty, adding "a nation which enjoys the possession of such an army will never suffer abjection."