Report: Iranian embassy in London urging locals to join ‘martyrdom’ program

Iran’s embassy in London has allegedly urged British-based Iranians to sign up for a controversial “martyrdom” program, according to a report by the Daily Mail, prompting concern among security experts.

The embassy’s official Telegram channel has called on “proud Iranian compatriots residing in Britain” to register for the “Jan Fada” (“sacrificing life”) initiative, inviting those with a “desire for the people’s defense of the land of Iran” to come forward. A message in Persian from April 15 reads, “Let us all, to a man, give our bodies to be slain; for it is better than giving our country to the enemy.”

The campaign, launched last month, directs participants to register through the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s consular platform.

According to the report, an embassy spokesperson insists the initiative “does not promote any form of hostility.”

“Any claims or assumptions to the contrary are simply unfounded. Such biased judgments are made hastily and without proper understanding,” the spokesperson says.

However, analysts cited in the report warn that the effort could amount to online radicalization. Roger Macmillan, a former security director at Iran International, tells the Daily Mail that the campaign represents “a significant threat,” arguing it could be used to identify and mobilize regime supporters in the UK.

“This is an attempt at radicalization online of people who could be persuaded by the regime to commit acts in support of the Islamic Republic in the UK,” he says.

The report comes amid heightened scrutiny of Iran-linked activity in Britain, following a wave of attacks claimed by the newly formed terror group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya, largely targeting Jewish institutions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged last week to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, though legislation has yet to be introduced.

Scotland Yard has not yet publicly commented on the embassy’s messaging, but similar outreach efforts are reportedly under investigation in Australia.