Iran arms civilians: 1 million people to be prepared for combat

Iran plans to train one million civilians for combat, with a third training centre now opening in the country.

TodayPress TV reports, citing the Monte Cristo account on X, that those taking part in the training are members of the volunteer Basij forces, which operate under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The first two training centres opened in August and September. The ISNA news agency reported the development amid growing concerns over a possible war with the United States and Israel.

Are these preparations intended to defend Iran, or are they an attempt to send a message to the country’s adversaries?

Why does this matter?

Having armed local forces in every city means that bombing military bases alone may not be enough to defeat the country.

Defeating a country in a war involving its own population becomes considerably more difficult.

The other side:

Basij forces have also been involved in suppressing protests inside the country.

Iran is seeking to make the decision to launch a potential war far more costly for its adversaries. Attention is now turning to the dates of the training exercises and the weapons to be used.

Zahra Mammadova