Iron Voices: How Tehran’s Theocracy Silences Dissent with Propaganda and Repression

Iran is in a perilous downward spiral. Gross mismanagement has led the country into deadlock, and the government’s destructive and absolute acceleration into radicalism threatens Iran’s very existence.

Despite the severity of the situation, neither Iranian society nor the world fully grasps the disaster’s depth. Since the revolution of 1979, the regime has acted as both exploiter and occupier. The oppressive political system continually repeats its mistakes without any intention of correction.

The dreams of the Iranian nation and its governance are misaligned. The Tehran government, with its unchecked power and immense wealth, fails to recognize the identity of the Iranian nation, which deeply resents this governance. This tension will continue until the regime falls.

Iran is governed by an outlaw regime that rejects rational dialogue, opting instead for repression through violence. Acting like an unyielding horseman, the government lashes out with clubs and whips, or shoots bullets at citizens.

For 45 years, the military governance has operated like a mafia, continuing its repression while the regime’s propaganda machinery works overtime. All propaganda tools serve to bolster the regime’s authority. All platforms are under the regime’s control, which still seeks to consolidate its power.

Iran’s governance is backward, incapable, and fraught with countless deficiencies relative to the potential of its people. The government holds no esteem among Iranians, and is isolated internationally. The regime knows that it has no national standing, especially among the younger generation.

The barrier between the governance and the nation is not just the outdated, bankrupt, and Khomeinist ideology. A governance that tramples on the nation’s interests denies the interests of everyone but itself. There is no unity in society; everything is damaged and cracked. The regime, alienated and unpopular among Iranians, has no legitimacy. The government’s discourse has also failed.

With irrelevant language and logic, the regime demands societal submission, viewing itself as the guardian of all, even grandiosely claiming to lead the Muslims of the world. How can one reason with a ruler who only understands the language of force? Society cannot breathe freely.

The government recognizes voting, civil rights, and freedom of speech only for its supporters and inner circle. The governance cannot tolerate dissenting voices or differing opinions. It is closed, dark, unwise, and irrational.

Intellectualism in Iran faces terror, imprisonment, and deprivation. The regime neither desires nor understands anything beyond itself. A populist, repressive governance conflicts with a protesting, suppressed society. There is no understanding or dialogue — only interrogations, revolutionary courts, and threats from security institutions. No one in Iranian society is safe from arrest and suppression.

The current regime in Iran is a symbol of absolute evil. Peaceful coexistence with this savage governance is impossible. The regime does not recognize the people of Iran as a nation, but sees them as the Islamic Ummah. Iran, to the regime, is like war spoils. The regime’s narrow-minded politics and literature are contrary to Iranian society and nation. It is a failed system that contradicts freedom and law. It continuously suppresses but lacks authority.

The poor, suppressed, and deprived society of Iran feels deep dissatisfaction and public hatred towards the regime. After 1979, people lost their national pride and identity to the mullahs, leading to deadlock, downfall, and decay.

A governance that relies on whips and bullets is a savage oppressor ready to commit any crime to preserve its irrational, reality-averse rule. The mullahs’ claims of religiosity and heavenly status are displays of superstition and delusion for political and religious fraud. Iranian society has moved beyond religion, but the regime calls the terrorist uproar of 1979 a revolution — a display of Khomeini’s savagery.

A few harsh and oppressive individuals are ready to sacrifice all of Iran for their invalid beliefs. The current religious despotism expects the entire society to respect Khomeini’s terrorist uproar, and to exhibit absolute obedience. The Guardianship structure embodies despotism, delusion, ignorance, and superstition.

Institutionalizing democracy in Iran is a long, rocky road. A dangerous outlook awaits the Iranian nation. The regime is in decline, and soon, similar to economic and cultural collapse, social and ethical collapse may occur, uncontrollably.

The mullah system has historically been full of power-seeking, deception, lies, propaganda, corruption, terror, and suppression. Change with the current regime in power is impossible. The Tehran regime uses internal suppression and external aggression. Terrorist institutions like the Ministry of Intelligence, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the police force, the Quds Force, and other proxy groups will continue their work as long as the regime is in power. The death of any regime figure will not change the system.

Predicting Iran’s future is challenging, especially with upcoming elections. There will be no enthusiasm or competition. The Guardian Council, under Khamenei’s supervision, will limit candidate approvals to a few radical loyalists. The government aims to continue harsh conditions and seeks someone like deceased president Raisi. Dangerous times for Iran — and the world — are ahead.

Erfan Fard is a counterterrorism analyst and Middle East Studies researcher based in Washington, DC. Twitter@EQFARD.

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