Iran War: Couples Ready to Sacrifice Their Lives Get Help to Marry in Giant Ceremonies

Military jeeps equipped with machine guns, giant portraits of the supreme leaders and hundreds of couples dressed in white. The weather was festive Monday in Tehran as Iranian authorities held public mass wedding ceremonies for couples prepared to sacrifice their lives in the war against the United States and Israel.

A so-called “self-sacrifice” program

Organized in several large squares in the capital, the ceremonies brought together hundreds of couples. They were broadcast by state television to boost the morale of the population, while American President Donald Trump increased threats of new strikes against Iran despite a ceasefire having interrupted the bombings launched on February 28.

According to the local press, the newlyweds joined the so-called “self-sacrifice” program (“janfada” in Persian), through which they agreed to risk their lives during the war, in particular by participating in human chains in front of power plants.

According to Iranian authorities, millions of people have volunteered, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Massoud Pezeshkian.

“The country is at war, but young people also have the right to marry”

The decor, adorned with balloons, was dominated by a huge portrait of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since he came to power following the death of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war.

“The country is at war, but young people also have the right to marry,” said a young Iranian woman dressed in a traditional white chador, in a video broadcast by the Mehr press agency.

A young groom in a dark suit rejoiced that this ceremony coincided with the anniversary of the marriage of Imam Ali, revered by Shiite Muslims, and Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed: “We have received their blessing! “.

According to Mehr, 110 couples participated in the ceremony organized on Imam Hossein Square. Since the start of the conflict, the Iranian authorities have organized large pro-government rallies almost daily in order to stage popular mobilization.