AFP Investigates Iranian Embassy’s Recruitment Drive for ‘Janfada’ Campaign in Australia

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is investigating Iran's embassy in Canberra for promoting a recruitment drive for the “Janfada” campaign, which encourages individuals to volunteer for military service. This inquiry follows the embassy’s online posts detailing how to register for the campaign, which were later removed.

The Iranian embassy in Canberra recently promoted a recruitment drive for its “Janfada” campaign, a Farsi term meaning “sacrificing life.” This initiative encourages volunteers to defend Iran. Messages detailing how to register for the campaign appeared on the embassy’s official website and Telegram channel this week.

These posts instructed people on how to register for the voluntary drive to fight for their country. The message, written in Farsi, cited “repeated requests from Iranians living abroad to participate” and provided access through consular services for registration. These posts were subsequently removed from both platforms after inquiries were directed to the embassy. The removal did not stop widespread alarm among diaspora groups, with some calling for the embassy's closure and others questioning the legality of such recruitment within Australia.

Dr. Rana Dadpour, founder of the advocacy group Australian United Solidarity for Iran (AusIran), described the embassy’s promotion of the Janfada recruitment initiative in Australia as “unbelievable.” The Australian Federal Police confirmed they are aware of the recruitment posts made by Iran’s embassy in Canberra. Australian law makes it a crime, punishable by life imprisonment, to engage in or prepare for hostile activities abroad. This explicitly includes recruiting for Iran’s military or any organization engaged in such activities.

The AFP's investigation signals a serious legal inquiry into the embassy's conduct on Australian soil. Diplomatic missions operate under strict international conventions, and actively encouraging or facilitating citizens to partake in foreign military or paramilitary activities could violate both Australian sovereignty and national security laws. The promotion of the Janfada campaign, launched last month amid concerns of a potential US ground operation against the Iranian regime, raises significant legal and national security concerns within Australia.

This situation also underscores the delicate balance between diplomatic immunity and the imperative of national law enforcement. Australia previously expelled Iran's ambassador in August 2025 following allegations of directed antisemitic attacks. The Australian government’s prior listing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism further complicates dealings with any Iranian military-linked initiatives, making certain interactions, including membership or providing resources, criminal offenses under Australian law.

What to Watch: The Australian Federal Police will provide updates as their investigation into the embassy’s activities progresses, indicating potential legal and diplomatic ramifications for all parties involved.