Iran has announced that it has prepared one million fighters to confront what it described as a “suicidal ground war” that U.S. forces are allegedly preparing to launch against Iranian territory, particularly targeting the strategic Kharg Island, through which nearly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports pass.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, a military source stated that growing speculation about a potential U.S. ground assault on Iran’s southern front has triggered a surge of mobilisation among Iranian ground forces, with the stated aim of creating what was described as a “historic hell” for American troops on Iranian soil.
Surge in Recruitment and Mobilisation Efforts
The same source indicated that, in addition to preparing over one million individuals for ground combat, recent days have witnessed a significant influx of Iranian youth applying to enlist through mobilisation centres affiliated with the Basij, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the national army, seeking participation in any potential confrontation.
This mobilisation effort reflects a broader push to reinforce internal readiness and demonstrate deterrence as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Strategic Messaging on the Strait of Hormuz
The military source further asserted that the United States is attempting to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “through self-destruction and sacrifice,” adding that Iran sees no issue in allowing such a strategy to unfold, while simultaneously maintaining that the strait would remain closed.
This statement highlights the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies and a central pressure point in any potential conflict involving Iran.
Expansion of Volunteer Campaigns
In parallel, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched a recruitment campaign titled “Defenders of the Homeland for Iran,” aimed at enlisting volunteers above the age of 12 to support those engaged in national defence during wartime.
Rahim Nadali, Assistant for Cultural and Artistic Affairs in the IRGC, stated in remarks to state television that the initiative is designed to enable participation from individuals across various fields and skill sets.
He explained that the campaign seeks to establish a structured framework allowing all willing individuals to contribute to the defence effort according to their expertise and capabilities.
Escalation Signals in a Volatile Environment
These developments reflect an intensifying posture of readiness, as Iran signals its willingness to engage in large-scale defensive operations in the event of a U.S. ground incursion.
The framing of such a conflict as both “suicidal” and confrontational from the American side highlights Tehran’s broader strategy of deterrence, mobilisation, and psychological signalling amid rising geopolitical tensions.
