Previously silent Iran players sing and salute anthem

Some supporters booed as the Iran team saluted and sang during the national anthem Iran's players saluted while singing the country's national anthem before their Asian Cup match against hosts Australia, in contrast to the silence at their opening match on Monday. Before that defeat by South Korea, the Iranian players had stood still, amid the wider context of escalating conflict following air strikes from the United States and Israel on their homeland. No official explanation has been offered for their differing approaches but on Wednesday, striker Sara Didar spoke emotionally about being separated from their loved ones. However, Alireza Mohebbi, an Australia-based correspondent for Iran International TV, told the BBC's partner ABC News , external there was "no doubt" the players were under instruction to sing. "It's completely obvious that the Islamic Republic's regime, and the security team which is with the players in Australia, forced them to sing and do the military salute," he said. Checkpoints everywhere and queues for bread: Fear in Iran as US-Israeli strikes intensify The Iranian team arrived in Australia well before the air strikes on their country by the US and Israel began last Saturday. More than 1,100 Iranian civilians are estimated to have been killed according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency , external (HRNA). "No-one likes what's happening, no-one wants war," said head coach Marziyeh Jafari. In the same news conference however, she insisted Iran have "come here to play football". A 4-0 defeat by Australia on Thursday means they now must beat Philippines on Sunday to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Their approach to the national anthem has matched that taken by the men's team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were silent before their first game against England and then sang along before their next match against Wales. That campaign came against the backdrop of significant domestic protests in Iran over the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini while in police custody. Before this game, dozens of Iranian-Australians gathered outside the stadium in Gold Coast waving Israeli, Australian and pre-revolution Iranian flags. Iran players decline to sing national anthem Iran players sing national anthem against Wales Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page India pile on runs after Brook drops dangerous Samson in semi-final Premier League relegation: Spurs face nervy night as West Ham & Forest close gap Osula sinks Man Utd - 12 years after winning skills contest Could we have a four-way title fight as F1 enters a new era? A daughter’s extraordinary act to save her mother What's really going on inside the brains of pregnant women? Join Sara Cox on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Library 'Only one team tried to play' - Hurzeler criticises Arsenal Ten-man Newcastle score late winner to beat Man Utd. Video Ten-man Newcastle score late winner to beat Man Utd Meet GB's first female Paralympic snowboarder Watershed moment as Russia's sporting exile ends Are big-game players keeping Celtic in title hunt? 'Drive to Survive got me into F1 - now I work at Williams' Liverpool top-five failure 'could cost £120m' Why does Scotland lead the way on football headers? Man Utd eye wingers, after getting rid under Amorim All you need to know about new F1 cars 'Fin stole my fly-half spot!' – Atkinson on England's new 10-12 combo Haaland? Kane? R9? Ranking the best centre-forwards this century Key areas for Scotland against champions France Should we have high hopes for Hamilton and Ferrari? F1 Q&A 'I cheated head-injury assessment to play on in 2017 Lions Test' 'I knew the risks, I'd do it again' - Moody opens up in new BBC documentary New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.