TEHRAN, Iran (AP)
UNDER A BANNER showing coffins draped with U.S., British and Israeli flags, more than 100 Iranian men and women pledged Thursday to become suicide bombers to defend their country and Islam. The ceremony comes at a time when many Iranians worry their country could come under attack by the United States or Israel.
The event, held in a burial area reserved for war dead and other 'martyrs', was similar to others in recent years with Islamic chants and songs and volunteers donning white coverings to symbolise their willingness to die.
But this gathering, coming at a time when many Iranians fear their country could come under attack from the United States or Israel, was clearly tailored to send a message of defiance against any possible military action over Iran's nuclear programme.
"The threats from America have swelled our ranks and given us added conviction," said 27-year-old Margess, who like the other volunteers would only give her first name and used a scarf to cover all but her eyes. "We will stand up against them with our lives."
COFFINS
No weapons or explosives were displayed, but the ceremony was organised by a shadowy group believed to have links to the Basiji paramilitary group that is backed by Iran's Islamic regime. A huge banner used as a backdrop showed coffins covered by U.S., British and Israeli flags. A message in English promised to "damage the U.S. worldwide" in retaliation for any attack on Iran.
Six nations, the five permanent U.N. Security Council members plus Germany, are seeking a possible incentive package for Iran to entice it to give up uranium enrichment. The package could include dropping the threat of military action but still bring sanctions.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is only for peaceful energy purposes, but Washington and allies believe Iran also seeks to develop atomic weapons.
It is unclear how the potential suicide bombers are recruited or trained, although several claimed to be Basiji members. Officials claiming to represent the group refused to give details and the event appeared largely staged for the media. Some of the women volunteers held their children on their laps.
"If asked by Iran's leaders, we will fight anywhere," said Hussein, 56, a volunteer with a wife and four children. "The world should know that Iranians embrace martyrdom."
One of the organisers from a group calling itself the Headquarters for Commemorating Martyrs of the Global Islamic Movement shouted out names and handed out silver dog tags. Volunteers mingled around monuments to attackers including a Palestinian suicide bomber, an Iranian militiaman killed by the U.S. 'Great Satan' forces in Iraq, and two commandos who helped carry out the 1983 blast at Marine barracks in Beirut that killed 241 U.S. servicemen. An almost simultaneous bombing killed 56 French peacekeepers.
ISLAMIC RESISTANCE
"Hezbollah, Hezbollah", the crowd chanted as a singing group supported by the Lebanese guerrilla group began songs calling for Islamic resistance. Iran is one of the key backers of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah.
The volunteer bombers waved Qurans and one held up a placard paraphrasing the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution: "Our nation is the first to prove that America can't do anything."
"We are here to prove that Muslims that Iranians have solidarity and we will willingly shed our blood," said Azadeh, a 20-year-old volunteer who wore a postcard of Khomeini and his successor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pinned to her white cloak.
On each postcard a message was stencilled: "Those who are ready to die."
"I only have one son and he's volunteered as a martyr," said Marium Nematzadeh, 56. "I have deep belief in my religion and my leaders. I would even become a bomber if asked."
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