Iran Holds Biggest Rally Since War Began, More Than 600,000 Volunteers Register

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a government-organized rally in Iran on Friday, in what the Associated Press (AP) described as the biggest such demonstration since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran in February.

According to AP observations, large crowds gathered in central Tehran. Many participants wore combat-style uniforms and carried Iranian flags as they marched through the city. The rally was presented by the Iranian government as a demonstration of national unity and readiness to defend the country.

AP reported that the Iranian government has been seeking to mobilize public support and emphasize national unity as the country faces worsening economic conditions amid a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and new American sanctions.

The government has named the campaign “Janfaday-e Iran,” meaning those who sacrifice their lives for Iran. Iranian state media have reported that volunteers joining the campaign will receive limited military training and eventually be prepared to help defend the country.

For several days, Iran’s state broadcaster has encouraged people to join the campaign, saying that training with assault rifles would begin soon.

The largest figures regarding participation came from Iran’s military leadership. Tehran Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hassan Hassanzadeh told state television that more than 600,000 people had registered for the program. He said more than 1 million people could eventually take part in the training.

Separately, Iran’s state broadcaster estimated Friday morning that more than 300,000 people were on the streets of Tehran. However, AP noted that estimates of the number of participants varied. The figures were not independently verified by AP.

The new volunteers are expected to serve as an additional layer of security alongside Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its volunteer arm, the Basij. AP reported that the initiative would expand the country’s pool of people receiving military training for potential defense duties.

As the rally began, Hossein Taeb, the newly appointed head of the Basij, said in a speech that the volunteers would be ready for “full-fledged defense.” He also said similar rallies would soon be held in other Iranian cities.

According to remarks broadcast by Iranian state media, Taeb said the newly trained volunteers would become a “nightmare” for Iran’s enemies.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, military commanders and other senior officials attended the rally, according to AP.

The rally comes as Iran remains under intense military and economic pressure following the conflict with the United States and Israel. AP emphasized that the participation figures cited in the report largely came from Iranian state media and Iranian officials and could not be independently verified.