Iran Rallies Hundreds of Thousands to Pledge Fight Against US and Israel

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians participated in a government-organized rally in Tehran on Friday, declaring their readiness to fight against the United States and Israel. The event, dubbed "Janfada-ye Iran" or "Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives for Iran," was the largest display of defiance since February, following alleged attacks by the US and Israel on Iran. Participants marched in combat uniforms, carrying flags, with some stepping on US and Israeli flags while chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans.

State media had previously called for public participation in the initiative, announcing that limited training with assault rifles would soon commence. The volunteers are intended to serve as an additional layer of defense alongside the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij militia, which has historically played a key role in suppressing domestic protests. The commander of the Tehran Revolutionary Guards, General Hassan Hassanzadeh, stated that over 600,000 people had registered for the program, with expectations of over a million participants in training. Iranian television estimated over 300,000 attendees, though these figures could not be independently verified.

The new head of the Basij, Hossein Taeb, declared at the rally that the volunteers would be prepared for "total defense" and that similar events would occur in other cities. He asserted that the new recruits would become a "nightmare" for Iran's enemies. President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials were present at the event. One participant, 24-year-old Marzieh Afaghi, stated her intention to show US President Trump that Iranians are not afraid of his threats.

The rally also served as a platform for the regime to display military hardware, including air defense systems and drones. Simultaneously, Iran claimed responsibility for an attack on the oil tanker Trend, flagged by Togo, which it accused of an "illegal attempt" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the vessel was hit by a projectile and caught fire, which was later extinguished. These actions have significantly impacted oil and natural gas shipments from Gulf states.

Beyond external threats, the recruitment drive has internal implications. Expanding the Basij forces could enhance the regime's capacity to suppress future protests. Iran has experienced significant internal unrest, with human rights activists reporting thousands killed and tens of thousands arrested during crackdowns on demonstrations that began over economic issues and escalated into anti-government calls. In May, government sources claimed over 30 million Iranians had volunteered to sacrifice their lives for the regime.