Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran
Tehran, May 20: Iranian authorities organised mass public wedding ceremonies in Tehran for couples who reportedly enrolled in a state-backed “self-sacrifice” campaign linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The ceremonies, held late Monday across several major public squares in the Iranian capital, were broadcast on state television as part of efforts to boost public morale amid continuing wartime tensions and a fragile ceasefire.
According to Iranian media reports, more than 100 couples participated in the main event held at Imam Hossein Square in central Tehran, while similar ceremonies were conducted at other locations across the city.
The participating couples had reportedly signed up for the “janfada” or “self-sacrifice” initiative, under which volunteers pledged readiness to support the country during the conflict, including by forming human chains around key infrastructure facilities such as power stations.
Iranian authorities claimed that millions of citizens, including senior political leaders such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian, had enrolled in the campaign.
Visuals from the event showed couples arriving in military jeeps fitted with mounted machine guns before taking part in wedding ceremonies conducted on decorated stages by clerics.
The venue was adorned with balloons and featured a large image of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed the position after the reported killing of his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei during the early phase of the conflict.
Speaking to Iranian media during the ceremony, one bride said that although the country was facing war, young people still had the right to marry and celebrate life.
Another participant said the occasion coincided with the anniversary of the marriage of Imam Ali and Fatima, a significant event in Shia Islamic tradition, and described it as a moment to seek blessings and express solidarity with the public.
Iranian media reported that 110 couples took part in the Imam Hossein Square ceremony alone, while crowds gathered to congratulate the newlyweds and participate in the public celebrations.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Iranian authorities have regularly organised large pro-government gatherings and public events aimed at demonstrating national unity and public mobilisation amid the ongoing crisis.