TEHRAN, Sept. 21 (CGTN) -- Several people were killed after unknown gunmen opened fire during a military parade in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz on Saturday, Reuters reported, citing state television.

Iran was holding a number of parades in cities including the capital Tehran and the port of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf to mark the start of the country's 1980-88 war with Iraq.

"Shooting began by several gunmen from behind the stand during the parade. There are several killed and injured," a correspondent told state television.