Iran has opened its first dedicated military training centre for female volunteers in Tehran, as tensions with the United States escalate and fears grow over a possible ground assault.
The facility, located at Tehran’s Azadi Square, is providing women with military training, including firearms handling, self-defence, rappelling, ziplining and obstacle-course exercises.
The volunteers, known as ‘Janfadayans’, are described as people willing to sacrifice their lives for Iran. Dozens of them have participated in the exercises as part of the country’s wider volunteer mobilisation campaign.
According to Al Jazeera English, in a post on X, “Iran has opened its first all-women military training camp amid fears of renewed US attacks.”
“Dozens of female ‘Janfadayan’, volunteers willing to sacrifice their lives for Iran, took part in military exercises at Tehran’s Azadi Square.”
A female at the training centre reportedly stressed the importance of women being prepared to defend cities if men were unavailable during a ground war.
The initiative is part of a broader nationwide volunteer drive by Iranian authorities, with women making up a significant proportion of those registering.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, concerns over possible renewed military action and a stalemate in diplomatic negotiations.