Basij

Basij female unit commander assassinated in latest attack targeting Iranian armed forces

Aqila, commander of the Afzal Sisters’ Basij unit in Mehrestan, was reportedly assassinated outside her home in front of her children.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Illustrative: An Iranian woman member of the Basij militia's Ashura battalion takes part in a military parade to mark the national Basij week at a military base of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards in northeastern Tehran on November 25, 2008.
Students at Tehran’s Allameh Tabataba'i University protest against the compulsory hijab, September 28, 2026.

Iranian students protest compulsory hijab, university costs as campus unrest returns

Iranian university students protested against compulsory hijab and worsening economic conditions, with Basij forces accused of threatening demonstrators during the campus gathering.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Young children carrying military-style weapons are seen during street parades conducted by military forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who provide military training to supporters in preparation for a potential conflict with the United States and Israel, on September 18, 2026, in Tehran, Iran.

Iranian children to be recruited for Islamic Republic’s ‘self-sacrifice’ campaign

The campaign’s spokesperson said it was centered on the cultural slogan, “We have one life, and we give it for Iran,” which he acknowledged had drawn international criticism.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Military forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran conduct street parades and provide military training to supporters in preparation for a potential conflict with the United States and Israel on September 18, 2026 in Tehran, Iran.

Thousands of IRGC, Basij volunteers march through Tehran in show of defiance against US, Israel

Participants said they were prepared to take up arms and defend the country after months of war and a worsening economic situation in Iran, the Associated Press reported.

|ByAMIT AVITAN

Iran's regime collapse approaching, but 'final call' must come at right moment, Pahlavi says

Pahlavi cautioned that the Iranian government has "no hesitation in suppressing people," and is prepared to kill hundreds of thousands to remain in power.

MARCH 18, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi following a speech in Washington, January 16, 2026; illustrative.

What is Basij? The Islamic Republic's 'iron fist' to suppress protesters - explainer

Basij, a key paramilitary militia under the IRGC, has a violent history of suppressing protests, enforcing morality laws, and committing human rights abuses, including torture and sexual abuse.

MARCH 17, 2026ByJAMES GENN
A Basij militia member patrols in Tehran following a US strike, March 5, 2026; illustrative.

Will death of Larijani and other Iranian regime officials lead to change? - analysis

Ali Larijani, a key behind-the-scenes figure in Iran, was killed in an IDF strike, leaving a major gap in the regime's leadership amid growing instability.

MARCH 17, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Ali Larijani (L) talks to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R), October 10, 2016.

Two people killed after missile barrage from Iran, IDF starts large-scale strikes against Hezbollah

IDF: Mojtaba Khamenei is not safe, we will hunt him down • IDF kills Iran's top official Larijani in targeted strike • Israel preps for large Hezbollah barrage

MARCH 17, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A public shelter