Iranians storm streets in govt's show of strength

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied Friday in a government-organised show of defiance after months of war, pledging their readiness to take up arms in the biggest such demonstration since the United States and Israel attacked in February.

Iran's government has sought to rally the people and stress national unity. Estimates varied of the number of people volunteering to receive limited military training and defend the country in an effort described as "Janfaday-e Iran," or the "ones who sacrifice their lives for Iran."

For days, state media have encouraged Iranians to join the campaign, saying training with assault rifles would begin soon.


Rally to project Strength

Tehran's Guard chief, Gen Hassan Hassanzadeh, told the state broadcaster that over 600,000 people had registered to participate, with over 1 million expected to take part in the training. On Friday morning, the broadcaster estimated over 300,000 people were on the streets. Some participants trampled flags of the US and Israel. Others chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."

"I am here to tell (US President Donald) Trump that we Iranians have no fear about his threats against our homeland," said Marzieh Afaghi, 24, who attended the rally with her toddler and husband. "No one in history could invade Iran and remain there."

Iran claims another attack

Iran said it had attacked a Togo-flagged oil tanker, the Trend, for what it called an "illegal attempt" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the state broadcaster reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center said a tanker was hit by a projectile, sparking a fire on board that was extinguished.

Fighter jets for Saudi Arabia

The US Department of State said on Thursday it had approved the potential sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom is drawn deeper into war in the Middle East. A sale would mark a significant policy shift from the US, potentially altering the balance of military power in West Asia and testing Washington's definition of maintaining its ally Israel's "qualitative military edge."

Friday's events also suggested that hard-liners like Taeb among Iran's leadership will be more prepared to suppress any future demonstration against the theocracy.

In January, shortly before the war, Iran saw some of its largest nationwide protests in history, which began over the struggling economy.