Iranian state TV hosts handle rifles in studio as they talk of joining war

Iranian state television aired several programs on Friday night in which presenters appeared with rifles in studio segments, saying they were learning basic weapons handling and would join the war if necessary.

The broadcasts, seen on at least three programs, were picked up by Iranian outlets and drew reactions online.

Some social media users framed the segments as a sign of wartime mobilization.

Jackson Hinkle, an American political commentator and influencer known for strongly pro-Iran and anti-Israel views, wrote on X that Iranian state TV was showing how to use and fire an AK-47 as “prep for US ground invasion.”

Another account focused on weapons and conflict footage said Iranian TV channels were giving basic weapons-handling instructions, adding that the rifle shown appeared to be an early East German MPi-KMS assault rifle.

The segments came amid heightened rhetoric and uncertainty over whether fighting involving Iran, the United States and Israel could resume, but the broadcasts themselves appeared limited to symbolic or instructional studio displays.