Iran expands Janfada civilian weapons training across provincial capitals

Iran is stepping up a nationwide push to train and arm civilians through a paramilitary initiative known as Janfada, expanding street-level operations as fears persist of renewed armed conflict involving the United States and Israel.

According to reporting by Al Jazeera, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps plans to establish training and equipment centres across major public squares in the capital cities of all 31 Iranian provinces. In Tehran alone, officials intend to operate from at least 14 central squares. The effort, which translates to "those who sacrifice their life," began in late March and has since extended into dozens of cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Ahvaz, and Kerman.

The campaign is managed primarily by the Basij, the volunteer paramilitary branch of the Revolutionary Guard. Operatives have set up booths in urban centres where participants, both men and women, are instructed in handling firearms, loading ammunition, and target practice. While open to participants of all ages, state organisers have increasingly targeted young people, with education authorities confirming that schools are coordinating with the Basij to sign up student volunteers.

Public demonstrations, daytime motorcades, and nighttime gatherings featuring patriotic chants have accompanied the initiative. In some areas, the expansion has sparked local friction. A street gathering in the northern city of Rasht led to physical altercations after residents objected to blocked roadways and noise, while officials in Karaj, near Tehran, recently advised citizens to expect loud blasts from nearby drills.

Human rights organisations based outside Iran have characterised the armed street presence as a strategy of public intimidation, pointing to the violent crackdown on widespread protests earlier this year. Iranian authorities previously rejected United Nations findings that security forces committed crimes against humanity during those demonstrations, which the government blamed on foreign adversaries.

Iranian state officials assert that 33 million citizens have signed up online for the campaign, claiming participants could also assist with emergency services, public relief, and energy conservation amid international sanctions and naval blockades. However, officials have offered no proof for the figure, and digital activists reviewing the registration platform found that fewer than four million phone numbers had been recorded.

Analysts note that rather than building broad consensus across the entire population, the program serves to consolidate backing among loyalists and project internal strength during an extended period of regional tension.