Mass mobilization in Tehran: hundreds of thousands of Iranians march and pledge to defend the country

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered on Friday in a government-organized show of defiance after months of war, pledging to be ready to take up arms in the largest such demonstration since the United States and Israeli attack in February.

The Iranian government has sought to rally the people and emphasize national unity, even as the economy deteriorates due to the American naval blockade of Iranian ports and new American sanctions. On Friday, it claimed another attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway it has sought to control since the start of the war.

Estimates varied for the number of people volunteering to receive limited military training and to defend the country in an effort described as “Janfaday-e Iran” or “those who sacrifice their lives for Iran.” They marched through central Tehran dressed in combat uniforms, carrying flags, while passersby cheered.

For days, state media has encouraged Iranians to join the campaign, saying training with assault rifles will begin soon. The volunteers will be an additional layer of security for the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia, which has played a key role in suppressing anti-government protests.

The head of the Tehran Guard, General Hassan Hassanzadeh, told the state broadcaster that over 600,000 people had registered to take part, with over 1 million expected to take part in training. On Friday morning, the broadcaster estimated that over 300,000 people were on the streets.

The new head of the Basij, Hossein Taeb, stated in a speech as the rally began that the volunteers would be ready for “full defense” and that similar rallies would soon be held in other cities.

The new trainers will create a “nightmare” for Iran’s enemies, Taeb added, while President Masoud Pezeshkian, military commanders and other senior officials watched the march.

Some participants trampled the flags of the U.S. and Israel. Others chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

The rally was also a chance for Iran to display military equipment. Anti-aircraft batteries were on display, while female members of the Guard with black headscarves sat with machine guns mounted on trucks.