Janfada volunteers parade as the Persian nation prepares to begin a mass civilian military training campaign.
On Friday, hundreds of thousands of volunteers marched through Tehran amid the U.S. war on Iran and days before the start of a massive military training campaign for civilians.
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Amid chants of “Death to the United States” and “Khamenei, Khamenei,” volunteers from the “Self-Sacrifice for Iran” movement (Janfada) marched through the capital’s streets in military uniforms amid a sea of people cheering them on while waving flags of the Islamic Republic, the Revolutionary Guard or Hezbollah.
Many participants carried AK-47 rifles or bazookas, while jeeps equipped with antiaircraft machine guns drove through the streets. Drones from the Persian country, one of its most powerful weapons, also took part in the parade.
Among the participants were groups of women armed with AK-47 rifles and wearing the traditional chador, as well as members of Ansar Allah, the Yemeni movement that has already made major military advances in its fight against Saudi Arabian forces.
As they moved through the streets, Iranians dragged coffins bearing images of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
🇮🇷 Iranian women and girls are playing a significant role in today’s “Janfada” public exercises in Tehran, demonstrating their willingness to sacrifice for Iran. pic.twitter.com/1VQXNw4FSG
— 𝕊𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕻𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 (@SprinterPress) September 18, 2026
Recruitment of Civilians for the Defense of the Country
Since March, the Janfada campaign has registered more than 30 million volunteers. In the coming days, this movement will begin military and rescue training courses for its “Janfada Popular Units.”
“We are here to show we are prepared to be sent to the front line in case there is a war,” said Amirhosein, a 21-year-old who studies computer science at Amir Kabir University.
He hopes to acquire military knowledge to defend himself and avenge the death of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, who was killed by the U.S. and Israel on the first day of the war, Feb. 28.
Husein, a 42-year-old teacher who will receive weapons training in November, reaffirmed his willingness to “participate in an apocalyptic battle” between good (Iran) and evil (the United States).
Women present in today’s rally of ´Sacrifice for Iran’ in Tehran pic.twitter.com/YiiLOO3rov
— Farzaneh Ashoorioun | فرزانه عشوریون (@frzaneh_a) September 18, 2026
Use of Drones and Rocket Launchers
Janfada spokesman Sasan Zare said the training will focus on different courses, divided into areas such as neighborhood security, intelligence surveillance, piloting small drones and handling weapons such as rocket launchers.
The commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hassan Zadeh, said 500,000 people have already registered to take part in the campaign in Tehran province.
For his part, the head of the Islamic Basiji militia, Husein Taeb, said it is the largest civilian recruitment campaign in history and described it as a “nightmare” for the country’s enemies and a symbol of national resistance.
Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian said the massive participation in Janfada constitutes an irrefutable symbol of the collective will of the people to defend independence, dignity, territorial integrity and national power against the threats and pressures of U.S. imperialism and its allies.
On the eve of this epic of resistance and popular unity, Iranian citizens reached 200 consecutive nights of uninterrupted mobilization in support of their government and in rejection of aggression by the United States and Israel.
This demonstration of popular power extends throughout the country, including cities such as Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Shiraz, Birjand and Bandar Abbas. Data from the Tehran Municipality indicate that 120 large gatherings, 400 local assemblies and 400 vehicle caravans take place daily in the capital alone.
teleSUR / JF
Sources: EFE – IRNA
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