Thousands of IRGC, Basij volunteers march through Tehran in show of defiance against US, Israel

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians participated in a state-organized rally in Tehran on Friday, the largest such demonstration since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. The event, dubbed “Janfada Iran” (those who sacrifice their lives for Iran), saw participants in combat uniforms march through central Tehran, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. The rally showcased military equipment, including air defense systems and drones. General Hassan Hassanzadeh, Tehran IRGC commander, stated that over 600,000 people have registered for a volunteer program, with an expectation of over 1 million participants. Hossein Taeb, the new head of the Basij, announced that these volunteers would be ready for “comprehensive defense” and would become a “nightmare” for Iran's enemies. Simultaneously, Iran claimed responsibility for an attack on the oil tanker Trend in the Strait of Hormuz, citing an “illegal attempt” to pass through. This recruitment initiative also aims to bolster the regime's capacity to suppress future domestic protests, following significant demonstrations earlier in the year.