The Iranian embassy in London has encouraged Iranians to enlist their children in a campaign promoting martyrdom and “giving their lives for the nation.”
Britain’s Shadow Foreign Secretary has branded it ‘appalling’ that Tehran has tried to use the UK as a ‘recruiting ground’
The message shared on the embassy’s Telegram channel invited around 114,000 Iranians to take part in what it described as the “Sacrificing Life for the Homeland Campaign,” urging them to help “defend” the country’s territory.
The post called on individuals to express their interest to authorities and made explicit reference to the recruitment of children.
Responding to the claims, a spokesperson for the Iranian Embassy told Metro: “Iranians around the world have always cared deeply about their homeland and the protection of its territorial integrity and they always will.”
GBNews reports: Uploaded on April 15 and first seen by the Metro, it read: “All brave and distinguished children of Iran are invited to participate consciously and register in this campaign, adding another golden page to the book of honours of this ancient land and demonstrating that their hearts are bound to the dignity and greatness of their homeland.”
Concluding in poetic verse, it said: “Let us all, one and all, give our lives in battle. Rather than surrender our country to the enemy.”
The Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel called for the Home Office and police to intervene in response to the post.
She said it was “appalling” that Iran was trying to use Britain as a “recruiting ground”.
Dame Priti added: “Keir Starmer should show some backbone and summon the Iranian ambassador to explain himself.
“The Home Secretary and the police must immediately investigate and intervene to ensure the British people are kept safe.”
The Metropolitan Police earlier this month warned of Iranian proxies being used to carry out terrorist attacks, with 26 people now arrested by counter-terror officers since late March.