Thousands March Through Tehran in Show of Support for Iran’s Defence Efforts

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in a government-organised military rally in Tehran on Friday, September 18, as Iran showcased a newly formed volunteer force and reaffirmed its readiness to defend the country amid its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

The rally, described as the largest display of defiance against the United States since the war began, saw volunteers march through central Tehran in military uniforms, with some carrying flags and weapons.

Iranian authorities said about 313,000 people participated in the event, although the figure could not be independently verified.

The government also displayed military equipment, including drones, anti-aircraft systems and other weapons, during the rally.

The newly formed volunteer units are expected to receive limited military and emergency-response training and serve as an additional security force alongside Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militia.

IRGC commander in Tehran, Hassan Hassanzadeh, said more than 600,000 people had registered for the volunteer campaign known as Janfada-ye Iran, meaning “those willing to sacrifice their lives for Iran.” Authorities said more than one million people could eventually participate in the training.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior security officials, including Basij chief Hossein Taeb, attended the rally.

Taeb told participants that the volunteers would be prepared for what he described as “full-fledged defence” and warned that they would pose a serious challenge to Iran’s enemies.

Iranian officials presented the mobilisation as part of a broader national defence strategy. Women and teenagers were also reported to have registered for the volunteer units.

One participant told reporters that the volunteers wanted to demonstrate Iran’s strength and unity, while stressing that they did not want war but were prepared to defend the country.

The rally comes as Iran faces severe economic pressure from US sanctions and restrictions on its ports and financial networks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of waging an economic campaign intended to cause widespread hardship.

Iranian authorities have also used the conflict to promote national unity and support for the government. The volunteer mobilisation campaign began in April during intensified US-Israeli attacks.

According to Iranian authorities, more than 30 million people have registered for a potential national call-up, representing roughly one-third of the country's population.

The figures and claims made by Iranian authorities could not be independently verified.