The Secret Fear Uniting Iran’s Elite
Sinking with the Ship: Why Iran’s "Moderates" are Now Calling for Blood
Fearing the total collapse of the Islamic Republic, Iran’s supposed reformist leaders have abandoned their moderate masks to support the brutal suppression of anti-regime protesters.
In a move that has stunned political analysts, the reformist establishment in Iran has abandoned its moderate rhetoric to stand shoulder to shoulder with the hardline regime. These figures, who were once seen as a bridge for change within the system, are now actively calling for the use of force against those they once claimed to represent. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, the elite have reached a consensus that this current wave of unrest is not a call for reform, but a war to topple the entire government. Sanam Vakil, a senior researcher, noted that "the reformists understand that if the ship sinks, they will sink with it," leading to a desperate closing of ranks within the Tehran leadership.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who won the 2024 election on a platform of social and political liberalization, has become the primary face of this crackdown. After initially offering a measly monthly grant of seven dollars to citizens, an amount that barely covers the cost of two coffees and a slice of cake in a Tehran cafe, he shifted his tone to label protesters as "rioters" and agents of Israel. Pezeshkian has now called on the police to act without mercy, claiming he will not allow foreign elements to sow division. Joining him is Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Republic’s founder, who has called for mass rallies to support the government and condemn "terrorist acts," despite having been a critic of the leadership in years past.
The regime is now utilizing its state media apparatus to project an image of overwhelming strength and popular support. The Fars News Agency, which is closely linked to the Revolutionary Guards, claimed that three million people participated in government sponsored rallies in Revolution Square. During these broadcasts, anti regime protesters are depicted solely as puppets of the United States and Israel. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi further claimed that the situation is "under control" and that 70% of those in the streets have been incited by external forces. Observers note that there are currently no signs of high level defections, as the entire ruling class sees no exit strategy other than total victory over the uprising.