“Janfada” Drill: Armed Volunteers, Basij Mobilization and the Unusual Appearance of Female Motorcyclists in Tehran

What is the Janfada-ye Iran exercise?

The Janfada-ye Iran campaign is a large-scale mobilization initiative presented by Iranian authorities as a way for civilians to contribute to national defense and emergency preparedness.

The Persian term “Janfada” can be translated in several ways, including “self-sacrificer,” “one devoted to sacrifice,” or, in a more literal political-media rendering, “devoted to Iran.”

The campaign is distinct from Iran’s conventional armed forces. It has instead been associated closely with the Basij, the volunteer-based paramilitary organization operating under the IRGC.

According to Iranian reporting, the initiative began on March 29, 2026, following the outbreak of the current conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Organizers subsequently promoted registration among civilians who wanted to declare their readiness to contribute to the country.

Iran Press reported that more than 31 million people had registered with the broader initiative, while Iranian officials and state-linked media subsequently cited figures exceeding 32 million. Those numbers are claims made by organizers and cannot be independently verified from the available reporting.

September 18, 2026 | 5:45 pm