The Iranian embassy in London has launched a disturbing recruitment campaign targeting Iranian expats in the United Kingdom, urging them to "sacrifice their lives for the Homeland" in what has been described as a call-to-arms. The message, posted on the embassy's website and via an official Telegram channel, calls on Iranians residing in the UK to register their interest in a "Patriotism Campaign" that seeks to "defend Iranian land."
Recruitment Details and Reaction
The recruitment drive, shared on April 15, specifically references recruiting "children" to the campaign and uses the Iranian government's Mikhak system for registration. The full message reads: "We inform our proud compatriots residing in the United Kingdom that, in order to objectively realise the national will and desire for the people's defence of Iran, the possibility of registering for the 'Patriotism Campaign' has been provided... so that a manifestation of empathy, loyalty, and national zeal can be displayed in an integrated format." It ends with a verse from the Persian epic Shahnameh: "Let us all, one and all, give our lives in battle. Rather than surrender our country to the enemy."
UK shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel has condemned the campaign as "appalling" and called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the police, and the Home Office to intervene. She urged the PM to "summon the Iranian ambassador to explain himself" and demanded that "the Home Secretary and the police must immediately investigate and intervene to ensure the British people are kept safe."
Concerns from Campaign Groups
London-based campaign group United4Mahsa, founded after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, expressed alarm. Co-founder Haleh Blake said: "The public announcement calling for martyrdom 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 diaspora. This should be yet another clear alarm to Keir Starmer and the Labour government to not hold any negotiations with the Islamic Republic's regime and proceed with the proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps."
A UK government spokesperson stated: "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."
The Iranian Embassy responded via a statement: "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."
