Experts warn over UK Iran embassy’s ‘martyrdom’ call

Iran encourages its citizens abroad to sacrifice their lives for Tehran, raising alarm bells for security officials in the UK.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran’s embassy in London posted disturbing messages on social media that called for Iranians living in the United Kingdom to sacrifice their lives for the Islamic Republic.

In a Farsi-language post published on the embassy’s official Telegram channel, the message read: “Let us all… give our bodies to be slain; for it is better than giving our country to the enemy.”

The post urged “all brave and noble children of Iran” to join what it described as the “Jan Fada” initiative —a phrase that translates to “sacrificing one’s life.”

According to the embassy, participation in the campaign is a way for Iranians abroad to demonstrate their “solidarity, loyalty, and national zeal.” However, few concrete details have been provided about how the initiative operates in practice.

Security experts and human rights advocates say the rhetoric alone is deeply concerning.

Roger Macmillan, a former security director at Iran International, a news outlet that amplifies the voices of Iranian dissidents and exiles, warned that the messages could have serious consequences.

“It is horrific that this is happening on U.K. soil,” Macmillan told the Daily Mail. “This is an attempt at online radicalization of individuals who could be persuaded by the regime to commit acts in support of the Islamic Republic in the U.K.”

He added that the campaign likely serves as a way for Iranian authorities to identify supporters abroad who are willing to act on behalf of the regime.

“This is a significant threat to security and to our way of life,” Macmillan said, warning that those who respond could potentially be activated within the United Kingdom.

Dr. Nader Fallah of the Association of Iranian Human Rights and Allies also expressed concern, arguing that the posts should be treated as a red line by British authorities.

“This kind of messaging is not benign,” Fallah said. “It is designed to appeal to the most hardline, ideologically driven individuals and to encourage a dangerous culture of fanaticism and martyrdom.”