Video: Iran stages massive “Sacrifice for Iran” volunteer rally in Tehran
Abdullateef Fowewe
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians marched through central Tehran on Friday in a government-organised military-style parade, pledging readiness to take up arms as part of a nationwide volunteer campaign known as “Janfada-ye Iran” (Sacrifice for Iran or Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives for Iran).
Iranian government described the event as a 313,000-strong parade stretching from Imam Hussein Square to Enghelab Square, featuring participants in combat uniforms, Basij paramilitary members, women affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, veterans, and displays of military equipment including heavy weapons.
Onlookers cheered as marchers carried flags and rifles.
Senior officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Tehran IRGC commander Gen. Hassan Hassanzadeh, and Basij head Hossein Taeb, attended.
State media and officials said more than 600,000 people had registered in the Tehran area for the voluntary effort, with expectations that over one million would ultimately take part in limited military training.
Reports framed the drive as aiming to form 1,000 battalions.
Taeb told the crowd the volunteers would be prepared for “full-fledged defense” and become a “nightmare” for Iran’s enemies, with similar events planned in other cities.
The Janfada-ye Iran campaign began in late March 2026, weeks after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, marking the start of what Iranian officials call nearly 200 days of resistance.
The initiative seeks to organise civilians for roles ranging from logistics and relief to defensive duties alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militia.
Iranian organisers have claimed tens of millions of registrations nationwide, though independent assessments have questioned the scale of those figures.
Friday’s rally, held just before Iran’s annual Sacred Defense Week commemorating the Iran-Iraq War, was presented as the largest government-organised public display of defiance since the conflict began.
It comes amid ongoing hostilities, a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, additional sanctions, and economic pressures.
Officials portrayed the turnout as evidence of national unity and popular willingness to defend the country.
