by tim » Sat Jun 21, 2025 5:55 am
Navigator wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 2:14 pm
However, when a foreign country (Israel) bombs your country (Iran), the response is generally increased support for the local regime. This means that Iranians, out of their own national pride, will, at least in the short term, most likely rally to the flag of the Ayatollahs.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn2nv21q9o
'A choice of two evils': Young anti-regime Iranians divided over conflict
We have managed to speak to several young Iranians who oppose the regime - and have protested against it in the past - in recent days, however.
Their names have been changed for their safety as the Iranian authorities frequently imprison opponents in an attempt to suppress dissent.
Tara, 26, told the BBC that when Israel issues evacuation warnings ahead of strikes, authorities shut off internet access "so that people don't find out and the death toll rises".
Checkpoints and toll stations are also set up, she says, accusing authorities of "deliberately" creating traffic, which "encourages people to stay in targeted areas".
"Talking about patriotism, unity, and standing up to the enemy is absurd. The enemy has been killing us slowly for decades. The enemy is the Islamic Republic!"
Sima, 27, tells us she does not care about this anymore.
"I wish Israel would get the job done as soon as possible. I'm exhausted. Although I'm still not a fan of Israel or what it's doing, I hope they'd finish what they've started.
"Wishful thinking, I know. But I want them to rid us and the world of the threat of the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei and ayatollahs as a whole."
Some people we spoke to were even more forceful in their support for Israel's attacks.
Amir, 23, said he supported them "100%". Asked why, he said he believed no-one else was prepared to take on the regime.
"Not the UN, not Europe, not even us. We tried, remember? And they killed us in the streets. I'm joyful when the people who've crushed our lives finally taste fear. We deserve that much."
Amir is referencing the widespread protests in Iran following the death of Masha Amini. The 22-year-old died in police custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly violating rules requiring women to wear the headscarf.
[quote=Navigator post_id=91258 time=1749838460 user_id=2754]
However, when a foreign country (Israel) bombs your country (Iran), the response is generally increased support for the local regime. This means that Iranians, out of their own national pride, will, at least in the short term, most likely rally to the flag of the Ayatollahs.[/quote]
[url]https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn2nv21q9o[/url]
[quote]'A choice of two evils': Young anti-regime Iranians divided over conflict[/quote]
[quote]We have managed to speak to several young Iranians who oppose the regime - and have protested against it in the past - in recent days, however.
Their names have been changed for their safety as the Iranian authorities frequently imprison opponents in an attempt to suppress dissent.
Tara, 26, told the BBC that when Israel issues evacuation warnings ahead of strikes, authorities shut off internet access "so that people don't find out and the death toll rises".
Checkpoints and toll stations are also set up, she says, accusing authorities of "deliberately" creating traffic, which "encourages people to stay in targeted areas".
"Talking about patriotism, unity, and standing up to the enemy is absurd. The enemy has been killing us slowly for decades. The enemy is the Islamic Republic!"[/quote]
[quote]Sima, 27, tells us she does not care about this anymore.
"I wish Israel would get the job done as soon as possible. I'm exhausted. Although I'm still not a fan of Israel or what it's doing, I hope they'd finish what they've started.
"Wishful thinking, I know. But I want them to rid us and the world of the threat of the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei and ayatollahs as a whole."[/quote]
[quote]Some people we spoke to were even more forceful in their support for Israel's attacks.
Amir, 23, said he supported them "100%". Asked why, he said he believed no-one else was prepared to take on the regime.
"Not the UN, not Europe, not even us. We tried, remember? And they killed us in the streets. I'm joyful when the people who've crushed our lives finally taste fear. We deserve that much."
Amir is referencing the widespread protests in Iran following the death of Masha Amini. The 22-year-old died in police custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly violating rules requiring women to wear the headscarf.[/quote]