Inside Iran: The Ultimate Martyrdom

TEHRAN, Iran - A month after becoming the new leader of Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held a town hall-like meeting in which he praised the virtues of suicide bombing. He called it an “art.” Ahmadinejad said, "Is there art that is more beautiful, more divine, and more eternal than the art of martyrdom? A nation with martyrdom knows no captivity." Ahmadinejad made similar statements at a recent Army Day parade in Tehran, urging his soldiers to prepare for paradise. CBN News was there to cover the event. "Our army is the army that angels rush to them to send them messages not to be sad or worried, to let them know that paradise is awaiting them,” Ahmadinejad said. “We thank god that our army is the army of Allah -- the army that is ready to sacrifice for Allah." Standing close to him at the parade was one of the top generals in the Iranian army. In an exclusive interview, Sayeed Abdorrahim Musavi told CBN News that his soldiers were ready for the Americans. "We are the guardians of the beliefs of our nation,” Musavi said, “and we are in full alert, ready to defend our beliefs…We will teach the American army a lesson they will never forget, and this experience will not be equal to their experiences in Afghanistan or Iraq." But as tensions over its nuclear program escalated, the regime here decided that it needed more men and women who were willing to die. So, a couple of months ago, they launched The Lovers of Martyrdom organization. The goal was to recruit and train men and women for suicide operations. The group hopes to form a "martyrdom division" in every Iranian province. "Art reaches perfection when it portrays the best life and best death,” Ahmadinejad said. “After all, art tells you how to live. That is the essence of art." Ahmadinejad's words have found resonance. In a video produced by an Arab TV station and obtained by CBN News -- scores of men and women can be seen signing up for suicide missions. On the video, volunteers chanting, "There is no God but Allah" welcomed the opportunity to die a martyr’s death. "We don't need permission from anybody,” said Vesaly, a martyrdom volunteer. “This has to do with our religious duty and responsibilities. This is our choice, and we have no fear." So far, some 52,000 people have reportedly joined The Lovers of Martyrdom group. "Our goal is to achieve martyrdom by way of true jihad,” said Firooz Rajai of The Lovers of Martyrdom. “This is the true path to which we strive. We don't need a fatwa on this, since we get our fatwas from the Koran and from all the authorities on Islamic law. We vow to turn into bombs that will explode at anyone who wishes to desecrate our holy places." A spokesman for the organization warns that recruits are ready to strike America, Britain, or Israel if ever Iran's nuclear facilities come under attack. "These countries should know that they have interests in some sensitive areas which can be targeted by our suicide attackers," said Muhammad Ali Samadi, a spokesperson for The Lovers of Martyrdom. On a recent Sunday afternoon, on the south side of Iran's capital city Tehran, CBN News gained rare access to a martyrdom registration center. Inside, our camera captured the sights and sounds of what appeared to be a well-organized effort to recruit and train the next wave of suicide bombers. In one corner of the room stood a poster declaring that "Israel must be wiped out." In another corner, video manuals were available on how to carry out suicide missions. On television and computer screens scattered around the room, video clips showed Palestinian suicide attacks against Israelis. Elsewhere, there were history books documenting the practice of suicide bombing. There were also cartoons poking fun at Christians and Jews. Blaring in the background were songs of praise for those who had answered the call of martyrdom. And plastered on the walls are the pictures of Palestinian suicide bombers, young and old, male and female. It was here, next to the large poster of a suicide registration form, that we met 22-year-old Yazdi, an engineering student from Tehran University. CBN NEWS: Why did you sign up to become a martyr? YAZDI: Martyrdom for me is sweeter than honey...A martyrdom operation is a kind of operation that when you strap explosives on yourself to blow yourself up, you are immediately considered a martyr…Martyrdom operations are a strategic weapon for us against the West, which is equipped with the most modern weapons. Our weapon is based on our belief. CBN NEWS: If you were told that you need to go for a martyrdom operation in Iraq, Lebanon, or anywhere in the Middle East, will you go? YAZDI: We are ready to sacrifice our lives. CBN NEWS: What about the United States or Europe. Will you go? MASEH: To become a martyr in the U.S., protecting Islam? I would say I am ready to become a martyr protecting Islam anywhere in the world! Like Yazdi, Maseh has also volunteered to become a suicide bomber. MASEH: Eternal life is on the other side, when you are next to god. I prefer not to be in this world. I would rather be a martyr than live in this world. According to Yazdi, about 200 signed up at this registration center, which ironically used to be the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, the sight of the 1979 hostage drama. Known around here as the U.S. Den of Espionage, the building is now under the command of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The U.S. seal that once greeted visitors at the front gate of the embassy has been sanded down. The embassy walls are covered with a number of anti-American murals. Yazdi said, "I am so happy that we are registering people for martyrdom operations in what used to be your embassy! God willing, Islam will be victorious!" But for many of those signing up today, wiping Israel off the face of the Earth is the greater priority. "I do not want Israel to exist on the map of the world," Maseh said -- a sentiment that has run deep in this country for two generations, and one that Iran's new leader is only too happy to echo every chance he has. "The Zionist regime of Israel is like a rotten, dried tree that will be annihilated by one storm," Ahmadinejad said. The suicide recruits say they cannot wait. So while these men and women, who refer to themselves in the video as "ticking time bombs in Iran," await their orders Ahmadinejad pledges to revive the spirit of the Islamic Revolution, and vows that one day Islam will conquer the world. "Have no doubt, “ Ahmadinejad said, “Allah willing, Islam will conquer what? It will conquer all the mountain tops of the world."