Millions take to Tehran streets armed, stress national unity

Iran showed its strength on the streets of Tehran on Friday. This happened amid its ongoing war with America and Israel. Millions of Iranian citizens joined a huge rally organized by the government. This was Iran’s largest gathering since the joint attack by America and Israel began in February.

People at the rally pledged to take up arms to defend the country’s sovereignty. They also promised to join any military training offered to them. Thousands of volunteers marched through central Tehran in military uniforms. They carried national flags as part of a campaign called “Janfadaye Iran,” meaning those who sacrifice their lives for Iran.

Iranian news agencies report that the program will give people short military training. This training will include how to use assault rifles. The volunteers will work alongside the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its wing called Basij. They will act as a new layer of security for the country.

Mr. Hasan Hasanzade, the Tehran IRGC chief, said more than 600,000 people have already signed up for the training. He expects the number to cross one million soon. Mr. Hossein Tayeb, the new chief of Basij, spoke at the start of the rally. He said these new volunteers would become a nightmare for the country’s enemies.

Iran’s President, Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian, attended the rally along with senior military officials. They reviewed the march together. The crowd trampled American and Israeli flags during the event. They also chanted slogans against America and Israel.

Ms. Marzieh Afaghi, a 24 year old woman who joined the rally, spoke about her feelings. She said Iranians have no fear of Mr. Trump’s threats against their homeland. She added that no country has ever survived after attacking Iran in history.

The rally also displayed Iran’s military power to the public. Officials showed anti aircraft guns, machine guns mounted on trucks, and drones. Iran regularly uses these drones in its actions. It uses them against trade ships and the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s economic crisis has grown worse due to the American naval blockade and new sanctions. Even so, the government is using this rally to push hard for national unity. It wants to show a united front despite the hardship.