As darkness settles over Iran’s vast capital and the snow-capped Alborz Mountains disappear into the night, thousands of people continue to flood the streets of Tehran in state-backed rallies designed to rally support against the United States.
Near Tehran’s affluent Tajrish Square, chants of “Death to America” echo through crowds waving Iranian flags, while vendors weave through the gathering selling tea, patriotic caps, and nationalistic memorabilia. Amid the charged atmosphere, demonstrators voiced unwavering support for the country’s leadership and military establishment.
“All the people, the entire army, and our commanders are prepared to sacrifice their lives and fight with all their heart and soul,” one participant declared, brushing aside former US President Donald Trump’s latest warning threatening renewed military action.
Trump escalated tensions further in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, writing: “For Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving, fast, or there won’t be anything left of them.” His remarks come as fragile ceasefire efforts appear to be faltering and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Among the demonstrators was Tiana, a young woman wearing glasses colored like the Iranian flag, who spoke passionately above the roar of the crowd. “I am fully prepared to give my life for my country and my people,” she said. As speculation intensifies over the possibility of renewed US-Israeli strikes, many Iranians appear increasingly convinced that conflict could soon reignite.
“We know this war is not over. We know Trump is not genuinely seeking negotiations,” said Fatima, who said she spent part of her life in London and Dubai. The nightly demonstrations — often referred to as “night gatherings” — have been taking place across Iran for nearly three months, beginning shortly after the outbreak of the conflict.
In recent days, however, a more alarming development has emerged: public weapons kiosks offering civilians introductory firearms training, signaling a growing effort by authorities to prepare the population for the possibility of further confrontation.
At one such kiosk in Tehran’s Vanak Square, a woman dressed in a black chador was seen receiving instructions on handling an AK-47 assault rifle from a masked man in military fatigues, who demonstrated how to disassemble and reassemble the weapon. Nearby, a young girl handled an unloaded Kalashnikov under the supervision of an instructor, pointing it skyward before handing it back with a smile.
The message of national mobilization is also being amplified across Iranian state media. Several television channels have aired presenters displaying assault rifles on camera. On the state-run Ofogh channel, anchor Hossein Hosseini fired a rifle into the studio ceiling during a live broadcast after receiving guidance from a masked member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Elsewhere, Channel 3 presenter Mobina Nasiri addressed viewers while gripping an assault rifle with both hands.
As tensions inside the Islamic Republic continue to rise and fears of renewed warfare deepen, the government’s hardline messaging increasingly dominates the public sphere, drowning out more moderate voices amid an atmosphere of uncertainty and escalating anxiety.