Unverified reports circulating on social media claim that officers from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij — a paramilitary volunteer force operating as a supporting arm of the IRGC — are disguising themselves as women to avoid becoming targets amid escalating military tensions with the United States and Israel.
According to these accounts, IRGC and Basij personnel are appearing in public wearing full-body coverings and face veils, with garments layered over trousers that resemble traditional women’s clothing. The alleged disguises reportedly aim to evade detection during ongoing operations, as Saturday, March 7, 2026 marks one week since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran.
One tweet from an open-source intelligence account shared imagery purportedly showing such activity, captioned: “Reports from Iran say officers from the Basij and the Revolutionary Guards are disguising themselves as women to evade being targeted.” Another post, attributed to a satirical commentary account, referenced Basij commander Yasser Lafouti allegedly dressed as a woman in Astaneh Ashrafieh — though no official confirmation or context was provided.
These claims remain unverified. Internet access and social media platforms inside Iran continue to face significant restrictions, hampering independent verification. As of now, no Iranian state media outlet or official source has commented on the allegations. While the story has sparked widespread discussion and debate online, it has not been substantiated by credible reporting or official statements.