The frequent nature of these meetings indicates a heightened sense of urgency within the regime. Attendees of the meeting included key figures such as intelligence minister Ismail Khatib, interior minister Ahmad Vahidi, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, Basij Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Reza Naghdi, among other senior officials from IRGC and State Security Forces.
This heightened sense of caution is echoed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who, on September 11, warned against an “armed and prepared enemy”. In his public address, he cautioned supporters, stating that complacency could be exploited by adversaries.
Watch and judge how #Khamenei who has been ruling #Iran for more than 30 years is now suffering from the "Enemy complex"! pic.twitter.com/QQ3KK3VrnV
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 13, 2023
There’s a mounting undercurrent of dissent in Iran. Economic hardships, coupled with repressive policies, have resulted in the youth clashing more vehemently with regime forces. A recent claim by IRGC-affiliated News Agencies revealed unprecedented intense clashes between regime forces and protesters in July. The regime’s law enforcement command described recent months as particularly challenging.
In an attempt to counteract this, the regime is using tactics of intimidation. Announcements of arresting protest leaders and members are being made to deter the youth from participating in uprisings. On September 24, the Ministry of Intelligence even encouraged citizens to report any “suspicious movements”, potentially aiming to sow seeds of distrust within communities.
Ebrahim Jabbari, advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, acknowledged the growing public resentment against the regime. As reported by ISNA news agency on September 24, he commented on the regime’s adversaries, asserting that they are consistently turning the Iranian populace against the ruling power.
The regime seems to be grappling with uncertainty. With reference to the 2022 uprising, Esmail Khatib, the Minister of Intelligence, expressed concerns about the narrative presented by opposition channels regarding Iran’s youth.
However, despite the regime’s efforts, the spirit of rebellion remains unbroken. The actions of the Resistance Units and the ongoing protests by the country’s courageous youth showcase their unyielding spirit. The growing discontent among the masses, especially regarding the erosion of freedoms, has instilled a profound sense of apprehension within the top echelons of the Iranian regime, from the Supreme Leader to the heads of various intelligence and defense institutions.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu