"Iranian Women Volunteer for Military Training Ahead of Potential US Attacks"

Iranian women are voluntarily participating in military training in preparation for potential attacks by the United States, the British daily The Telegraph reported on October 5 (local time).

Iranian media outlets released videos and photos showing women wearing uniforms or chadors training on a parade ground.

These women receive training ranging from marching drills, urban defense, and urban search maneuvers to familiarizing themselves with weapons such as AK assault rifles, sniper rifles, RPG anti-tank rockets, and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.

Physical conditioning programs similar to commando training, first aid tailored for women, fire-fighting, and observation courses have also been established.

This movement is part of "Zanfada" (Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives), a mass mobilization campaign that began after a war broke out in February.

The Basij, a paramilitary wing of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, spearheaded the campaign under the slogan of "national resistance," and Iranian media reported that 500,000 volunteers signed up within 100 minutes of recruitment opening.

The Telegraph reported that the first training camp for female volunteers opened in Tehran's Imam Hossein Square, and at least 14 such facilities are currently operating in Tehran alone.

New training centers for women are also being established in regional cities.

Sasan Zare, a spokesperson for the Zanfada movement, said, "We plan to organize 1,000 community-based relief and rescue units in cooperation with the Red Crescent, and women account for the highest proportion of volunteers," adding, "Even an 80-year-old grandmother volunteered."

Iranian authorities are promoting the Zanfada movement as the revival of the "20 million strong army" summoned by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini during the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War.

During that war, which Iran refers to as the "Sacred Defense," women actually performed vital rear-guard support missions.


(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.