As the threat of future protests looms over the country’s fragile stability, the Iranian regime has tightened its grip on dissent through continued arrests and strict internet blockades.
Despite the apparent end to previous months of protests, the Islamic regime continues to crack down on signs and opportunities for dissent, according to statements from Tehran officials and continued actions and threats from the Islamic Republic.
Data monitoring website NetBlocks reported earlier on Wednesday that Iran’s internet connectivity was at 1% of normal levels for more than 264 consecutive hours, posting: “The regime’s spokesman has confirmed observations pointing to the whitelist system and said only those with approval have a say.”
Experts including U.N. special rapporteur on Iran Mugi Sato condemned the January internet shutdown during a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council last month. She said the regime, in addition to preventing the organization of peaceful protests, used the blackouts to limit information reaching the West about the atrocities it committed.
Iran has also arrested dozens of people, including a foreigner, accused of spying for the country’s “enemies,” the country’s intelligence ministry said on Tuesday.
Officials have warned that demonstrators will be considered “enemies” and the regime is clearly wary of a return to January-style protests in which security forces murdered and detained thousands of civilians.
‘The enemy, not the protesters’
Iranian Police Chief Ahmedreza Laden warned that “anyone who takes to the streets at the behest of the enemy will be considered an enemy, not a protester.”
He added, “We will treat them like enemies. We will treat them like enemies,” Bin Laden told state television IRIB. “All our forces are also ready to pull the trigger and prepare to defend their revolution.”
While the protests broke out in late December in response to the country’s economic crisis, Tehran was quick to label the protests “foreign-backed riots,” dismissing legitimate claims of domestic dissatisfaction with the regime.
Tal Hagin, an information warfare analyst and media literacy instructor who specializes in OSINT investigations, disinformation analysis, and AI-generated media, said despite threats from Bin Laden jerusalem post He was unable to verify any of the footage, which showed another public call for regime change in January.
According to Persian-Kurdish investigative journalist Truska Sadeghi Post Bin Laden’s statement represents the regime’s “deep fear” of destruction of its facilities, which undermines their power.
“The Islamic Republic has always responded harshly to even the smallest, most peaceful protests,” Sadeghi said. “So such a statement does not change the fundamental nature of the regime. Throughout its history, it has repeatedly attacked protesters, used violence, killed citizens, and it will continue to do so if given the chance.”
“However, one thing is important: society has become stronger and braver than before. The people’s growing courage is one of the regime’s deepest problems and a major source of its fear.
“Suppressing dissent, dissatisfaction or any form of protest has always been a fundamental act of the Islamic Republic,” he explained. “However, currently we have not seen people being able to take to the streets to openly protest. One of the reasons is that the attacks continue. While it is true that civilians are being killed, many people in society have different reactions to these attacks.”
Sadeghi said, “A large portion of the public sees them [the United States and Israel] The targets were institutions and centers conducive to regime repression, and most of them, of course, welcomed these attacks.
“In other words, many of the facilities that were attacked were seen as part of a system that has long been used to repress society,” he explained.
Sadeghi added that many people remain fearful of the regime’s security apparatus, which “acts arbitrarily against civilians” and prevents people from organizing protests out of fear.
“So far, it’s mainly commanders, buildings and certain administrative structures that have been weakened,” he continued.
“The regime still retains large security forces and highly committed ideological supporters who are willing to do whatever is necessary to preserve the system and protect themselves… They [the security forces] There are weapons, but ordinary people don’t. This creates a serious imbalance. Many people within Iran remain willing to protest and engage in change. “
Unified support for Tehran?
The Iranian regime’s attempts to project a unified image of support for Tehran were also thwarted earlier this week when members of the Iranian women’s soccer team fled their managers and were granted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia.
The female athletes were branded “traitors” by the country’s hardliners after they refused to sing the national anthem last Monday.
“them [Islamic regime] Having massacred over 165 innocent Iranian schoolgirls in two tomahawk attacks in the city of Minab, now they want to take our athletes hostage in the name of ‘rescue’? ” Iranian spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on X/Twitter after the women were granted visas.
“The audacity and hypocrisy are shocking: ‘To the Iranian women’s football team: Don’t worry – Iran is waiting for you with open arms. Come home.'”
Despite claims Australia was holding athletes “hostage”, Barkaj did not comment on the fact that one of the athletes voluntarily returned to Iran. The players were placed in a safe location after being interviewed separately from their guardians and accompanied by an interpreter and given the opportunity to stay.
“We know this [Islamic] The regime brutalizes women and girls… here’s why [Australian] The government puts so much effort into making sure people do have a choice [to stay]”, Foreign Minister Wong Yin-hsien told CNN affiliate 9 on Wednesday.
Sadeghi noted that there is no shortage of Iranians who have fled the country because of the regime’s brutality, and said the regime promotes the narrative that those who leave “no longer matter.”
When discussing Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment, Sadeghi said there were “tensions and clear fissures within the system,” Iran International reported.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew the monarchy, and some accused Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of handing power to his son Mojtaba Khamenei, making the position hereditary [contrary even to the late Khamenei’s dogma]This reportedly led some clergy to boycott the vote.
“For most ordinary people in Iran, except for regime supporters, institutional beneficiaries and some IRGC bases, this issue is not particularly important,” Sadeghi explained, adding that the importance of the new supreme leader was “mainly limited to specific circles within the power structure.”
Bargai said the regime also appeared to hold Australia responsible for attacks by the United States or Israel.