Iran expands its civilian mobilization drive across the country

The campaign, called Janfada, was launched in late March at the height of the war with the US and Israel. Basij and Revolutionary Guard stands offer volunteers weapons training.

Schools are taking part too. Iran's education minister said the Basij is registering "student Janfadas" and plans more events involving children.

The government says 33 million people have signed up but offers no evidence. Activists who read the website's code found fewer than four million registrations.

Foreign-based Iranian rights groups call the armed events "intimidation", months after January's protests in which thousands of civilians were killed.