Full Breakdown
Iran’s Massive “Janfada-ye Iran” Rally Shows Volunteer Defence Drive Amid War
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Context
The “Janfada-ye Iran” (Sacrifice for Iran) campaign was launched on March 29 after U.S. and Israeli strikes that Tehran calls illegal aggression. The rally on September 18 comes months into a war that began with those attacks and follows a deepening U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and fresh sanctions targeting the economy.
Key Figures
- Masoud Pezeshkian – President, addressed the rally.
- Gen. Hassan Hassanzadeh – IRGC chief for Tehran, reported registration numbers.
- Hossein Taeb – Head of the Basij, delivered the rally speech.
- Esmaeil Baghaei – Foreign Ministry spokesman, condemned the “economic war.”
Data and Statistics
- State media estimated over 300,000 participants in Tehran.
- The IRGC chief said over 600,000 Iranians have registered, with more than 1 million expected to complete training.
- Government officials claim 30–32 million Iranians have signed up nationwide, roughly a third of the country’s 86–90 million population.
- Women, teenagers and veterans of the 1980-84 “Sacred Defense” war participated alongside men.
Official Statements & Responses
Gen. Hassanzadeh told IRIB the volunteer force will receive limited military and emergency-response training, saying the registrations demonstrate “solidarity” and readiness to defend the nation. Basij commander Taeb said volunteers would be prepared for “full-fledged defence” and become a “nightmare” for Iran’s enemies. President Pezeshkian framed the rally as a show of national unity, emphasizing that Iran does not seek war but will defend itself to the end. Baghaei described the blockade and sanctions as a “brutal economic war” designed to inflict maximum suffering on Iranian citizens.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am here to tell (U.S. President Donald) Trump that we Iranians have no fear about his threats against our homeland,” — Marzieh Afaghi
- “The Islamic Republic has mobilised these people to show that they are united, that they have solidarity and that their people are ready to give anything for the country,” — Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu
On-the-Ground Reports
Rally participants marched in combat uniforms, brandishing flags and, in some cases, rifles. Female Guard members in black headscarves operated truck-mounted machine guns, while anti-aircraft batteries and drones were displayed along the route from Imam Hussein Square to Enghelab Square. Spectators trampled U.S. and Israeli flags and chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Crowd size: Al Jazeera cited 313,000 participants; other outlets reported “over 300,000.”
- Registrations: IRGC chief’s 600,000+ figure contrasts with Tasnim’s about 500,000 for Tehran alone.
- National volunteer total: Statements range from 30 million (May) to 32 million (Tasnim), with no independent verification.
- Population base: Sources differ on Iran’s total population (86 million vs 90 million), affecting the proportion of volunteers.
What’s Next
Hossein Taeb announced similar rallies are planned for other major cities in the coming weeks, indicating an ongoing rollout of the volunteer programme. The IRGC and Basij are expected to begin limited training sessions for registered participants shortly, integrating them as an auxiliary security layer amid continued maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz.