Iranian Regime Grows Stronger and Resolute in Retaliation

Iran was caught in the throes of war. The subsequent ceasefire brought some calm. Yet despite all the turmoil, the Islamic Republic’s regime in Iran remains firmly in power. Whether people are out on the streets or watching television at home, images and posters of assassinated leaders and the new leadership are omnipresent. Conversations with Iranians inside the country reveal that rather than weakening, the regime is becoming more entrenched and there is a strong determination for retaliation.

Diyako (name changed) and Sana (name changed) are a young couple living in Tehran, filled with hopes for change and concerns about the future. They come from educated middle-class families and are among those who desire an end to the hardline religious dictatorship. Due to their social security, no further personal details can be disclosed, as openly speaking to foreign media carries the risk of government surveillance in Iran.

Journalists working in Iran met with Diyako and Sana near a park and spoke with them during the ceasefire. Diyako appeared optimistic about life. “Change is coming now,” she said. “Some changes have already begun.” However, as she spoke, Sana smiled skeptically. “Change?” she asked. “It’s even more tightly controlled by the Revolutionary Guards. The country remains unstable.” After Israel and America launched attacks, Sana’s feelings shifted.

“At first, I hoped the war wouldn’t happen… but amid the conflict, as they began targeting key figures, I felt a kind of satisfaction with each death,” she explained. As the war escalated, even though Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders were affected, Sana realized that conditions didn’t become ripe for a new regime or peace deal. “Many of their supporters remain steadfast. Nothing happened as I had hoped. Everything worsened, and we remained under the Islamic Republic. Their victory in the war made me sorrowful,” she recounted her experience.