{
  "id": 11850810,
  "title": "Iran opens military centre for citizens, 'training 1,000 battalions'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/iran-opens-military-centre-for-citizens-training-1-000-battalions",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T04:53:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-opens-military-centre-citizens-training-1000-battalions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday, Iran inaugurated a military training centre in Tehran, designed to prepare citizens to resist potential attacks from US and Israeli forces. The conflict that triggered the opening of the centre began on 28 February, leading to a seven-month-long war that ended on 8 April with a truce. Despite the cessation of hostilities, intermittent clashes persisted.\n\nThe new military training facility, located at Haft-e Tir Square, succeeded an initial camp established at Imam Hussein Square. The aim is to train civilians over the coming weeks. Footage from the inauguration showcased Iranian army personnel conducting drills using camouflage-painted anti-aircraft equipment, navigating obstacle courses, and utilizing virtual reality headsets to simulate weapon handling.\n\nDuring a press conference, Ali Kowsari, deputy for training at the Basij organisation, announced that 1,000 battalions had been prepared for training. Kowsari underscored the significance of civil defence across Iranian society. He expressed confidence in Iranians standing united against any future attack, stating that the nation would not falter if the enemy made another miscalculation.",
  "summary": "Iran opens military centre for citizens, 'training 1,000 battalions' Iran opened a military training centre in Tehran on Saturday, which is said to be aimed at preparing citizens to confront US and Israeli forces in the event of a ground attack. US-Israeli attacks on 28 February triggered seven months of conflict. A truce on 8 April halted 40 days of war, but sporadic hostilities continued. The…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran inaugurates military training centre in Tehran.",
    "Centre to train 1,000 battalions of citizens.",
    "Training aims to resist potential attacks from US and Israeli forces."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}