Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered in the capital on Friday for a state-sponsored demonstration of defiance, marking the largest show of resistance since the onset of war with the United States. During the event, officials unveiled a newly formed volunteer corps designed to provide supplementary security support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia.
The Iranian government stated that 313,000 individuals participated in the march through downtown Tehran. While authorities did not independently verify the turnout numbers, IRGC Chief Hassan Hassanzadeh told state broadcaster IRIB that more than 600,000 people had registered for the Janfada-ye-Iran campaign, a phrase translating to “Those who sacrifice their lives for Iran.” Organizers expect over one million individuals to eventually complete military and emergency response training.
Attendees, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Basij commander Hossein Taeb, were shown alongside drones, anti-aircraft batteries, and other military hardware. Volunteers marched in combat uniforms, some brandishing flags and weapons. Taeb described the new force as essential for “full-fledged defence,” telling participants they would serve as a “nightmare” for Iran’s adversaries.
The mobilization is framed by Tehran as part of a broader national defense strategy aimed at projecting unity and resolve. Al Jazeera reporter Sinem Koseoglu noted from the scene that both women and teenagers have signed up for the volunteer units. The effort follows a registration drive launched in early April during the peak of US-Israeli attacks, which reportedly saw over 30 million people—approximately one-third of the country’s 86 million population—sign up for potential call-up.
Pezeshkian addressed the crowd, characterizing the rally as a message of solidarity not only to hostile nations like the US and Israel but also to domestic critics of the Islamic Republic. “This is not only a message to countries like the US and Israel… but also to the Islamic Republic that we are ready for any crisis,” the president said, according to Koseoglu.
Volunteers expressed a mix of patriotism and determination. One participant named Bahera told reporters, “I want to show the world that Iran is strong and united. We don’t want war, but we’re ready to defend our country to the very end.” Another volunteer carrying a rifle added, “This is our homeland and we won’t let others decide its future.”
The display of military strength comes against a backdrop of severe economic strain. Iran continues to face a US naval blockade on its ports and new sanctions, including measures announced Thursday targeting digital currency networks used by sanctioned Iranian entities to bypass international financial restrictions. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned these actions as a “brutal economic war” intended to inflict maximum suffering on citizens.
The economic hardship was a primary catalyst for the widespread protests that erupted last December, which evolved into a broader challenge to the political system established in 1979. While Iran reports that 3,000 people died during the crackdown, activists estimate the death toll exceeded 7,000. However, authorities have since sought to reclaim public initiative by positioning themselves as the primary defenders of the nation against external enemies.
That one million participant goal seems wildly optimistic given the severe hardships families are currently enduring daily.
It is surprising to see teenagers and women actively volunteering. I wonder how long this military fervor will last.
The government is trying hard to redirect attention from the devastating economic situation and past protests.