Embassy encourages Australia-based Iranians to volunteer to help war effort

Message on Telegram account has sparked alarm among diaspora groups, with one calling for the embassy to be closed

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Tehran’s embassy in Canberra is promoting a recruitment drive for a paramilitary campaign to defend Iran from US forces, with the Australian federal police now looking into the matter.

As the war approaches the two-month mark, the embassy’s website and Telegram channel this week posted a message that instructed people on how to register for a voluntary drive to fight for their country, known as the “Janfada” – or “sacrificing life” – program.