Iranian women defy law and run Tehran race without hijab

On September 18, hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied in Tehran in the largest demonstration since February when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, pledging their readiness to take up arms against foreign threats. The Iranian government organized the event to bolster national unity amid economic hardships due to U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade. At least 300,000 participants marched through central Tehran in combat uniforms carrying flags, while state media reported over 600,000 had registered for military training programs described as "Janfaday-e Iran," or the ones who sacrifice their lives for Iran. These new recruits aim to bolster security alongside the powerful Revolutionary Guard and its Basij militia.