The Iranian embassy has called on Iranians living in London to “sacrifice their lives” and become martyrs for the regime.
Messages posted on Telegram said the embassy was recruiting members of the Iranian diaspora to “lay down [their] lives” and “defend Iranian land”, as uncovered by Metro.
Iranian diplomats directed expats to register their interest with the authorities, dubbing martyrdom as “adding another golden page” to the country’s history.
The full message on Telegram reads: “All brave and distinguished children of Iran are invited to participate consciously and register in this campaign, adding another golden page to the book of honours of this ancient land and demonstrating that their hearts are bound to the dignity and greatness of their homeland
“Let us all, one and all, give our lives in battle. Rather than surrender our country to the enemy.”
The verses have been lifted from a sequence of patriotic poetry in Iran, called the Book of Kings, written by Persian poet Ferdowsi.
A senior lecturer in Persian Studies at St Andrews University confirmed the translation to Metro. Narguess Farzad, a senior lecturer in the same subject at SOAS University in London, translated the verse: “Better than we all of us lay down our lives, than surrender our country to the foe.”
The post is believed to be part of a wider “janfada” (self-sacrifice) campaign promoted by the Islamic Republic of Iran following the conflict with the US and Israel. Millions of Iranians are thought to have signed up to “defend the territorial integrity” of the country, including President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The campaign is said to be an international effort, with embassies in Australia and Sri Lanka sharing the same message.
Iranians are being asked to register their involvement through the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ online portal, named Mikhak.
The post targeting UK expats already has almost 400 heart reactions, 27 thumbs up reactions, and 26 prayer emojis.
The Telegram account is linked on the embassy website and dates as far back as August 2021.
Halah Blake, co-founder of the Iranian women’s freedom movement United4Mahsa, told Metro: “The public announcement calling for martydrom by the Embassy located in the UK displays the regime is running out of existing human resources and now using its public platforms to recruit killers and bad actors against its enemies which includes the Iranian diaspore
“This should be yet another clear alarm to the Keir Starmer and the Labour government to not hold any negotiations with the Islamic Republic’s regime and proceed with the proscription of the IRGC, the entity that is currently running the country.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel called the appeal “appalling” and urged the Home Office and police to intervene for the safety of British citizens.
She said: “Keir Starmer should use some backbone and summon the Iranian ambassador to explain himself
“And the Home Secretary and the police must immediately investigate and intervene to ensure the British people are kept safe.”
Attacks on Jewish sites in North London have been speculated to have been carried out by Iranian proxies, according to warnings from the Met Police.
Iran-linked Ashab al-Yamin, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, has claimed responsibility for a string of arson attacks on the Jewish community since the breakout of conflict in the Middle East.
A large majority of Iranians in London have shown support for US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Around 200 demonstrators in London gathered outside the embassy last month to show their support for the US and Israel.
A spokesperson for the Iranian Embassy told Metro: ‘Iranians around the world have always cared deeply about their homeland and the protection of its territorial integrity and they always will.
“The “Jan Fada” platform is intended for all Iranians who wish to support and defend their country, and it does not promote any form of hostility. Any claims or assumptions to the contrary are simply unfounded. Such biased judgments are made hastily and without proper understanding.”
A government spokesperson said in a statement to Metro: “We take the safety of the public incredibly seriously and investigate all allegations of threat thoroughly.
“We are clear-eyed about the threats posed by Iran, and our first priority is protecting British interests and British lives both in the UK and overseas.
“Work is well underway to bring forward proscription-like powers to clamp down on malign state activity.”
