Iran Evacuates Bases, Pays for Rallies Amid Revolt Fears

As tensions mount across the Middle East and fears grow of renewed military confrontation with Iran, reports are emerging of frantic preparations by the ayatollahs' security apparatus. Iranian citizens who spoke to Israel's Channel 12 describe a tense reality in which the regime is taking unprecedented steps to ensure its internal survival and protect its strategic assets.

According to the reports, the Revolutionary Guards have begun large-scale evacuations of military bases located in the heart of major cities, alongside the transfer of heavy military equipment and weapons toward western Iran. The moves are driven not only by operational considerations in the face of a possible external strike, but also by deep anxiety among the regime's leadership over an internal popular uprising that could exploit the fighting to seize control of military assets.

"I heard they evacuated the apartments of army personnel and Revolutionary Guards members," said Amirhossein from Tehran. "They're also evacuating the bases inside the cities and removing the weapons from them, out of fear they'll fall into the hands of the public. A few days ago the Revolutionary Guards ordered the checkpoints back into the streets, and they've multiplied significantly."

Alongside the evacuation of military assets, residents report a significant increase in checkpoints throughout the cities and the distribution of numerous mobilization orders to members of the Basij militia. To create a false impression of broad public support, the regime is even offering cash payments to Basij members and their families to demonstrate in the streets and wave the regime's flags.

"To show they have supporters, they again called on Basij members to go out into the streets with their families and wave flags, in exchange for payment," Amirhossein added.

Iranian comedian "Shaqebia" impersonated Khamenei and ran into trouble with the regime (Photo: Social media)

At the same time, the regime is operating an aggressive suppression mechanism that includes a sharp spike in the number of executions and the use of government-affiliated bloggers to spread fear, with the aim of deterring the public from taking to the streets. "The regime fears a popular uprising and is increasing executions," said Alireza from Mashhad. "They're frightening the public through pro-government bloggers and elements in the suppression apparatus."

Despite the heavy economic pressure and increased repression, many in the Iranian public see a possible military escalation as precisely a historic opportunity for political change and the overthrow of the regime. According to residents, the public has already lost its fear of the punishment mechanisms and executions, and is waiting for a moment of opportunity when the regime's grip weakens to renew the protests with force.

"But we've long since broken through the fear barrier, and we're waiting for the opportunity to drive the final nail into the coffin of the Islamic Republic," Alireza said.

The reports come against the backdrop of growing regional tensions and assessments by Western intelligence agencies of unusual Iranian military activity. Close coordination is taking place between Israel and the United States regarding these developments, with the assessment being that the extreme measures by the ayatollahs' regime stem from internal pressure and deep strategic distress.