Ahmad Alamolhoda, Khamenei’s representative and Friday prayer leader in Mashhad, on October 27, underscored the changing landscape. “It’s not just about Israel and Palestine anymore. It’s Islam against heretics. As we are Muslims, we stand by Islam’s side,” he stated.
This sentiment was echoed by Mohammad Gouchani, a journalist aligned with the regime. Speaking to the Ofogh Network on October 16, Gouchani remarked, “The issue of Palestine seems to be losing its significance for our people.” He alluded to the recent nationwide uprisings, implying that the people’s anger stems from the regime’s brutal crackdown on protestors, especially children and teenagers.
This apprehension has been further vocalized by other leaders. Mohammad Mokhtari, the Friday Prayer Imam of Birjand, highlighted on October 13, how propaganda has led many to believe that issues like Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, or Yemen are irrelevant to Iran. “People are now prioritizing their own country and chant, ‘Neither Gaza, nor Lebanon, I’ll give my life for Iran,'” Mokhtari emphasized.
This slogan has gained traction as Iranian citizens grow weary of their government misusing national resources for regional conflicts, especially when many in Iran grapple with destitution and despair daily.
Mohammad Javad Kashi, a regime-linked analyst, expressed in the Jomhuriyeh Eslami newspaper on October 20, his observation that Iran’s collective empathy towards the Israel-Gaza conflict is waning, especially compared to global reactions. He also cautioned against the mounting risk of anti-regime uprisings, comparing Iran to a tinderbox, vulnerable to even the slightest provocation.
Ali Rabiei, a former labor minister, in an October 23 interview, attempted to attribute the people’s animosity towards the regime’s actions to ignorance about the Palestinian plight. However, government economist Saeed Laylaz pointedly clarified on October 21, “The issue isn’t Gaza or Lebanon; it’s our government.”
Highlighting the regime’s propaganda failures, Rahim Ghomeishi, an IRGC defector, detailed unsuccessful attempts to organize rallies. Despite leveraging military personnel and altering classroom schedules, the turnout remained sparse. Ghomeishi further condemned the regime, questioning its intentions and highlighting its exploitation of national resources.
In conclusion, the Iranian citizenry seems to have discerned the ulterior motives behind the mullahs’ regime’s hollow displays of solidarity for Palestine. Such acts, instead of winning hearts, appear to be stoking the flames of dissent and disdain towards the regime’s aggressive and self-serving policies.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
