The regime’s priority is survival: it is likely to intensify coercion while managing optics and blame to reduce the risk of a US-Israel intervention trigger.

From Chants to Confrontation: Rasht’s Escalation May Mark a New Phase in the Ongoing Protest Movement.

Iran’s media has branded protesters as foreign-backed terrorists to justify a crackdown. Tehran’s prosecutor is invoking moharebeh (a death-eligible charge)

The Iranian regime will not hesitate to apply maximum coercive power to suppress the protest

Zarif’s Foreign Affairs essay calls for change; conservatives reply with mockery, citing JCPOA betrayal

Tehran’s Arbaeen message fuses Karbala sacrifice with calls to eliminate Israel and expel U.S. influence.