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Dying for the Mullahs? The Iranian regime recruits supporters in Switzerland
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Conflict & Security

Dying for the Mullahs? The Iranian regime recruits supporters in Switzerland

From Neue Zürcher Zeitung · (7m ago) German Critical tone

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Iranian regime is conducting a global recruitment campaign called "Janfada," urging Iranians worldwide to "sacrifice their lives" for the Islamic Republic.
  • The campaign, promoted by Iranian embassies and officials, claims 26 million people have registered, though this number is unverified.
  • Western governments, including the UK and Germany, express concern over the campaign, viewing it as a mobilization effort against perceived enemies and fearing potential attacks.

The Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) reports on a disturbing global campaign launched by the Iranian regime, termed "Janfada" (meaning "I sacrifice my life"). This initiative, actively promoted by Iranian embassies, including the one in Switzerland, calls upon Iranians both at home and abroad to pledge their lives in defense of the Islamic Republic against what it terms the "American-Zionist enemy."

So you can participate in the Janfada campaign.

— Iranian Embassy in SwitzerlandThe embassy's call to action accompanying a recruitment image.

The campaign's reach is purportedly vast, with claims of 26 million registrations, a figure that remains unverified but underscores the regime's effort to project an image of widespread popular support. The NZZ notes that Iranian officials, including President Masud Pezeshkian, have publicly endorsed the campaign, further amplifying its message. This coordinated effort aims to demonstrate the Iranian people's unwavering loyalty and readiness for self-sacrifice.

I sacrifice my life

— JanfadaThe meaning of the campaign's name in German.

Western governments are reacting with alarm. The British government has summoned the Iranian ambassador in London due to "unacceptable and inflammatory" statements made by the Iranian embassy on social media, directly linked to the "Janfada" campaign. German authorities, through their domestic intelligence agency, view it as a mobilization drive fueled by Iran's fears of an impending American ground offensive. From a Swiss perspective, the presence of such a campaign orchestrated by a foreign government on its soil, and the subsequent diplomatic fallout, highlights the complex challenges of navigating international relations and maintaining security in the face of ideological mobilization.

effective role in confronting the American-Zionist enemy and defending the Islamic Republic

— Campaign organizersThe stated goals of the Janfada campaign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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