Videos circulating on social media appear to show armed Iranian women taking part in military-style parades in several cities, in what state-linked outlets have described as a “jihad of women” in support of Iran’s wartime mobilisation.

The footage, which has not been independently verified, reportedly shows women carrying assault rifles, riding in armoured vehicles and marching alongside members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The scenes are said to have been filmed in Tehran, Mashhad, Qom, Rasht, Bushehr and Qazvin.

In the videos, women can be seen travelling in organised convoys through city streets while pro-government chants ring out. Some clips have been aired on Iranian state television, while media outlets affiliated with the IRGC have presented the displays as evidence of broad public support for the Islamic Republic amid its conflict with the United States and Israel.

The imagery marks a notable shift in Iran’s wartime propaganda. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women have frequently been portrayed in official narratives as supporters of the state, often as mothers, caregivers or volunteers in auxiliary roles. During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, such symbolism was widely used to bolster morale. Public displays of women bearing arms in urban military parades, however, are far less common.

Questions have emerged about the authenticity of some of the footage. Analysts and social media users have pointed to visual irregularities, suggesting that certain clips may have been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence. No conclusive evidence has been presented, and Iranian authorities have not commented on claims that any of the videos may be fabricated.

One detail that has drawn particular attention is the appearance of some women without the full hijab required under Iranian law. That has prompted further scrutiny, given the government’s strict enforcement of dress regulations over many years.

The videos have surfaced at a time of intense pressure on Iran’s leadership. The country is grappling with the fallout from a prolonged conflict with the United States and Israel, while also facing deep domestic unrest.

Large-scale protests erupted late last year after the collapse of the Iranian rial, spreading to cities across the country. The demonstrations were met with a severe crackdown in January. Casualty estimates vary widely, with official figures placing the death toll in the low thousands, while human rights groups and independent observers believe the number may be significantly higher.

Iran has maintained tight restrictions on internet access since the crackdown, making independent verification of events inside the country increasingly difficult.

Against that backdrop, the emergence of these videos appears aimed at projecting an image of national unity, resilience and public support as the government confronts both external conflict and internal dissent.

Germany has accused Russia of being behind a large-scale phishing campaign targeting lawmakers, senior government officials and other prominent figures through the encrypted messaging app Signal.

German and foreign security agencies have issued fresh warnings after discovering a sophisticated operation believed to have compromised hundreds of accounts. The campaign is thought to be the work of a state-backed cyber actor, with Berlin pointing to Moscow as the likely source.

“The federal government is assuming that the phishing campaign targeting the Signal messaging service was presumably run from Russia,” a German government source told AFP.

According to officials, the attackers used fraudulent messages disguised as communications from Signal’s support team. Recipients were prompted to enter a PIN, click on a malicious link or scan a QR code. Once access was granted, hackers could take control of the account, gaining entry to private messages, group chats, photos and shared files.

Cybersecurity experts warn that compromised accounts can also be used to impersonate victims, allowing attackers to spread misinformation or target additional contacts.

Although the government has not released an official figure, German media reports suggest that at least 300 accounts belonging to political figures may have been affected. Authorities expect that number to rise as more cases come to light.

“The number of unreported cases will continue to rise in the coming days,” said Konstantin von Notz, deputy chair of Germany’s parliamentary intelligence oversight committee. “At present, no one can say with any certainty whether the integrity of MPs’ communications is still guaranteed.”

The targets extended beyond politicians. Civil servants, diplomats, military personnel and journalists were also reportedly affected, highlighting the broad scope of the campaign.

Signal gained popularity among officials and privacy-conscious users after concerns emerged over WhatsApp’s data-sharing policies with its parent company, Meta. Its reputation for strong encryption made it a preferred platform for sensitive communications.

The incident has prompted urgent discussions in the Bundestag over digital security protocols. While some lawmakers have called for tighter controls, Bundestag Vice-President Andrea Lindholz has rejected proposals for a ban on Signal, arguing that members of parliament should retain the freedom to choose their communication tools.

Still, officials are considering restrictions on the desktop version of the app on parliamentary computers, citing potential security vulnerabilities.

Germany has faced an increasing number of cyberattacks, espionage attempts and suspected sabotage operations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Berlin has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, providing substantial military and financial assistance.

Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in cyberattacks and other hostile actions across Europe. However, Western intelligence agencies have consistently linked Moscow to a range of digital and covert operations aimed at destabilizing governments and undermining support for Ukraine.

The latest incident is likely to intensify calls for stronger cybersecurity measures across Europe’s political institutions.