Iranian State TV Airs Rifle Training Sessions Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

Iranian state television broadcasts showing civilians and television presenters receiving weapons training have drawn widespread attention amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing fears of potential military escalation involving the United States and Israel. The televised demonstrations come as Iranian authorities appear to intensify public preparedness measures following renewed warnings from US President Donald Trump regarding Iran’s nuclear and regional policies.

Videos circulating on social media and clips aired by Iranian state channels showed public figures learning to handle assault rifles during live broadcasts. In one widely shared segment, Hossein Hosseini, an anchor on the state-run Ofogh television channel, fired an AK-47-style rifle into the studio ceiling while receiving instructions from a masked member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The incident quickly gained traction online, drawing both criticism and concern over the militarised messaging being broadcast to civilians.

In another televised segment, Channel 3 presenter Mobina Nasiri appeared holding an assault rifle while addressing viewers about civilian readiness. She stated that the weapon had been sent from Tehran’s Vanak Square so that she, like ordinary citizens, could learn how to operate firearms. During the broadcast, she declared her willingness to sacrifice her life for the country, reflecting the patriotic messaging that has increasingly accompanied state media coverage in recent days.

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According to media reports, including coverage by Al Jazeera and CNN, defence training sessions involving light weapons have been organised for civilians at mosques and public locations across several Iranian cities. Iranian state television reportedly described the exercises as part of “public readiness to defend the country.” Reports also indicated that shooting instruction programmes were aired on Ofogh News between May 15 and May 16, coinciding with heightened political and military rhetoric surrounding Iran.

The developments come against the backdrop of renewed threats from US President Donald Trump, who recently warned Iran to move swiftly toward a peace agreement or face severe consequences. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that “time is of the essence” and warned that “there won’t be anything left of them” if negotiations failed. His remarks have intensified speculation about the possibility of renewed military confrontation in the region following a fragile period of de-escalation.

Adding to these concerns, recent reports by The New York Times suggested that the US Department of Defence has been preparing contingency plans for potential renewed airstrikes on Iran. Citing unnamed officials from the Middle East, the report stated that both the United States and Israel have begun preparations for possible future military operations. Against this tense geopolitical backdrop, Iran’s public display of civilian weapons training appears aimed at projecting national readiness and resilience in the face of perceived external threats.

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