The government of Iran is significantly ramping up investment in a nationwide campaign designed to arm and train civilians for state security purposes. This mobilization drive, known as 'Janfada' or 'those who sacrifice their life', has expanded rapidly across multiple provinces, targeting volunteers of all ages amidst persistent fears of escalating conflict with the United States and the Israeli regime.

Representatives of the Basij militia, operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have established numerous street kiosks and stations in Tehran and other major urban centers. These stations offer hands-on training with firearms and military equipment, ostensibly to prepare citizens to defend the government and its core ideological principles against both domestic and foreign adversaries.

The campaign has, however, sparked friction and local resistance. In the city of Rasht, nighttime pro-government rallies led to disruptions and verbal altercations that escalated into brawls, reflecting underlying societal fatigue. International human rights organizations have similarly criticized the initiative, characterizing it as an intimidation tactic deployed in the wake of severe civil unrest and government crackdowns earlier this year.

While state officials claim massive participation numbers exceeding tens of millions of registrations, independent digital audits suggest significantly lower engagement. Political analysts note that the Janfada campaign serves primarily to consolidate domestic loyalty among the government's core supporters and reinforce an ideological siege mentality within the political establishment.

Source: www.aljazeera.com