Iran opens military training camp for volunteers amid US tensions

New training centre opens in Tehran
Iran has opened a new military training centre in central Tehran as authorities expand a volunteer mobilisation campaign amid continuing tensions with the United States. The centre, located at Imam Hossein Square, will train participants in weapons handling and defensive equipment under the supervision of the Basij paramilitary force.

Volunteers prepare for possible conflict
Iranian authorities say the training is intended to prepare volunteers to defend the country against foreign threats, including the possibility of a ground invasion. A similar training facility has also been established in eastern Tehran.

Basij says focus is external threats
Ali Kowsari, a Basij training official, said the country’s existing security capabilities were sufficient to deal with domestic unrest but that volunteers could be mobilised against external threats. He said the new capacity would be used to defend Iran against foreign attacks.

Janfada campaign expands
The training programme forms part of the government-backed Janfada campaign, whose name roughly translates as “those who sacrifice their lives”. The campaign was launched as a mass mobilisation effort and has increasingly incorporated military-style exercises and weapons training.

Hundreds of thousands register
Iranian officials and organisers say hundreds of thousands of people have registered for military training. EFE reported that around 500,000 participants had signed up for the military training activities, while Iranian authorities have claimed the wider Janfada campaign has attracted around 30 million registrations.

Registration figures disputed
The much larger figure has not been independently verified. Analysts and Iranian media reports have raised questions about the government’s registration claims, with some assessments suggesting the numbers may have been overstated.

Foreign volunteers mentioned
Sasan Zare, a spokesman for the Janfada campaign, said some foreign nationals living in Iran had asked to participate in the training. He also claimed that some US citizens in Iran were prepared to support the campaign, although those claims could not be independently verified.

Campaign takes military form
The mobilisation effort has moved beyond public rallies and registration. Volunteers have participated in military-style exercises in Tehran, while authorities have announced plans to organise participants into organised units and provide weapons training.

Tensions with Washington remain high
The mobilisation comes amid continued military and political tensions between Tehran and Washington. The United States has maintained pressure on Iran while the two countries remain involved in negotiations over ending the conflict and resolving disputes surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran seeks national mobilisation
The campaign also comes after months of unrest and economic pressure inside Iran. Authorities have used the Janfada initiative to encourage national mobilisation and support for the state during the ongoing conflict.

Training raises wider concerns
The expansion of civilian military training has attracted scrutiny, particularly because reports indicate that young people have also been encouraged to register for the campaign. The exact age requirements and extent of weapons training for minors remain unclear.

Iran displays show of force
The training centres follow large government-organised demonstrations in Tehran involving volunteers, members of the Basij and other state organisations. Iranian officials have presented the events as demonstrations of national unity and readiness to defend the country.

Military tensions continue
The latest mobilisation highlights the continued preparations by Iranian authorities as tensions with the United States remain unresolved. The training campaign is expected to continue expanding as Tehran maintains its emphasis on civilian readiness and national defence.