Source Mint
TEHRAN — The Iranian government orchestrated a massive mobilization of pro-regime supporters across the country on Monday, seeking to project an image of strength and stability as it faces one of the most significant waves of civilian protest in recent years.
In a choreographed “show of power,” hundreds of thousands of supporters—described by state media as “the voice of the nation”—flooded the streets of Tehran and other major provincial capitals. The rallies serve as a direct counter-narrative to the anti-government demonstrations that have gripped the nation since late December 2025, sparked initially by a collapse of the Iranian rial and soaring inflation.
A Tale of Two Irans
The state-sponsored demonstrations, centered at Tehran’s Enghelab (Revolution) Square, featured participants waving national flags and portraits of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Government speakers, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, characterized the ongoing civilian unrest not as a domestic grievance, but as a “four-front war” involving economic sabotage and “terrorism” backed by foreign adversaries like the United States and Israel.
Meanwhile, the reality on the ground remains grim for those opposing the clerical establishment:
Casualty Figures: Rights groups, including the Norway-based Iran Human Rights, have confirmed over 648 deaths since the start of the crackdown, with some unverified estimates suggesting the toll could be much higher.
Mass Detentions: Approximately 10,000 individuals have been arrested in the last two weeks, as security forces—including the IRGC—intensify efforts to “put rioters in their place,” a directive issued by Khamenei on January 3.
Information Blackout: Much of the country remains under a severe internet blackout, a tactic used by the government to hinder protest coordination and the flow of information to the outside world.
Escalating Rhetoric and International Pressure
The government’s decision to mobilize its base follows a period of heightened domestic and international tension. On January 12, President Masoud Pezeshkian made a rare appearance at the Tehran rally, reinforcing the state’s stance that the protests are “riots” rather than legitimate expressions of economic despair.
The situation has also caught the attention of the White House. U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that Iranian leaders are seeking negotiations following his warnings of potential military action. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintains that while Tehran is open to diplomacy, it will not “back down in the face of saboteurs.”
The “Loyalty” Script
Observers note that these mass mobilizations follow a familiar script previously seen during the unrest of 2009, 2019, and 2022. By filling the streets with loyalists and members of the Basij militia, the regime aims to:
Deter Protesters: Showing a physical presence that rivals or outnumbers the civilian demonstrators.
Stiffen Resolve: Encouraging security forces by demonstrating that the state still commands public support.
Broadcasting Legitimacy: Providing state television with images of “unity” to broadcast domestically and to the international community.
As the unrest enters its third week, the dual scenes of state-backed fervor and bloody street clashes highlight a nation deeply divided. While the regime appears to have the upper hand through its coercive capabilities, the persistence of anti-government chants even in the face of live fire suggests the underlying economic and political frustrations are far from being suppressed.
