Iranian TV Anchor Fires Rifle During Controversial Live Broadcast

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Iran has started publicly training ordinary citizens in the use of weapons, sparking widespread debate and concern across social media platforms. Reports from Tehran claim that military-style training sessions are now being organized in public areas, including Haftar Square in the Iranian capital, where women, children, and ordinary men are being taught how to handle firearms such as the AK-47. The issue gained global attention after a controversial live broadcast aired on Iran’s state-run “Ofog TV” channel. During the televised program, a masked trainer dressed in military-style clothing demonstrated how to load and operate an AK-47 rifle to a female TV anchor. In a dramatic moment during the broadcast, the anchor reportedly fired a shot toward the national flag of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), triggering intense reactions online and raising concerns about the growing regional tensions. According to reports, these televised training sessions are part of a larger campaign aimed at preparing civilians for the possibility of a major conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iranian state media has allegedly increased the number of primetime weapons-training programs in recent weeks to encourage public readiness and national unity during uncertain geopolitical conditions. Images shared by international news agencies, including AFP, also showed Iranian female military personnel training civilian women at specially arranged booths in Tehran. Separate training areas were reportedly organized for men and even children, where instructors demonstrated the basics of weapon handling and combat preparedness. Social media users and political observers have reacted strongly to the videos and photographs emerging from Iran. While some supporters described the campaign as a patriotic effort to strengthen national defense, critics argued that involving civilians and children in military-style activities sends a dangerous message and reflects growing fears of a wider regional war. Reports circulating online further claim that more than 31 million Iranians have voluntarily registered for the public defense training initiative. However, independent verification of these figures remains difficult. The developments come at a time when tensions between Iran, the US, Israel, and several Gulf nations continue to escalate, increasing fears of instability across the Middle East.