Iran opens military centre for citizens, 'training 1,000 battalions'

Iran opened a military training centre in Tehran on Saturday, which is said to be aimed at preparing citizens to confront US and Israeli forces in the event of a ground attack. US-Israeli attacks on 28 February triggered seven months of conflict. A truce on 8 April halted 40 days of war, but sporadic hostilities continued. The new centre at Haft-e Tir Square followed a first camp at Imam Hussein Square, hoping to train civilians in the coming weeks. Footage from the centre showed army members conducting drills with camouflage-painted anti-aircraft equipment, crossing obstacle courses and using virtual reality headsets to train with weapons. At a news conference, Ali Kowsari, deputy for training at the Basij organisation, said 1,000 battalions had been prepared for training. Kowsari stressed the importance of civil defence across society. He said Iranians would stand united against any new attack if the enemy made "another miscalculation". An Iranian officer demonstrates the use of a man-portable air-defense system during the inauguration of a training centre for volunteers at Haft-e-Tir Square in Tehran on 3 October 2026. (AFP)