Three-minute read
As the Iranian regime marked the 46th anniversary of the 1979 revolution, it once again mobilized its full resources in an attempt to project strength amid escalating internal dissent and external pressures. Despite grandiose displays, including missile exhibitions, staged rallies, and fiery speeches, the regime’s show of force was undercut by growing discontent and visible signs of desperation.
Manufactured Displays of Strength
State-organized marches took place across major cities, with officials delivering defiant speeches aimed at reassuring a demoralized base. In Tehran’s Azadi Square, the regime’s President Masoud Pezeshkian declared, “This is our Iran, and under the leadership of the Supreme Leader, we will stand against tyranny and oppression.” His speech, however, was filled with contradictions as he simultaneously decried U.S. policies while acknowledging the regime’s economic and diplomatic isolation.
Pezeshkian took direct aim at former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of hypocrisy: “Trump claims he wants to negotiate, yet at the same time, he signs every possible measure to bring our revolution to its knees.” Meanwhile, in Hamedan, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi framed Iran’s worsening economic struggles as part of a broader Western conspiracy. “We are facing a U.S. administration that has revived maximum pressure against Iran while falsely pretending to be open to dialogue,” he claimed.
Parallels and Contrasts Between 1979 and #Iran’s New Revolutionhttps://t.co/nX0AgU8Cig
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 10, 2025
Referring to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s long-standing opposition to negotiations under pressure, Araghchi reiterated that Iran would not engage in what he called “surrender talks.” He added, “No free nation would ever negotiate under coercion, and the Iranian people will never bow to such tactics.”
Escalating Calls for Mobilization
The day’s events were not limited to diplomatic posturing. In Golestan province, Ali-Malek Shahkouhi, commander of the IRGC’s Neynava division, issued a rallying cry to regime loyalists: “If you are a fighter, a soldier, a cleric, a professor—where are you now? The battle of Valfajr 8 is happening today. The enemy is in the field with all its might, and we must not retreat.” His speech reflected increasing concerns within the ranks of Iran’s security establishment about waning morale and participation among its supporters.
“If you face ridicule, if they mock you, if they call you names, know that this struggle has a price, and that price is worth it,” Shahkouhi added, recognizing the growing public cynicism and disenchantment among regime sympathizers.
#IranProtests: Chants Against #Khamenei Erupt Across Cities on Revolution Anniversaryhttps://t.co/RdnsAhZyrY
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 10, 2025
Symbolic Displays and Propaganda Tactics
In an attempt to reinforce anti-Western sentiment, the Tehran rally featured symbolic stunts, including individuals wearing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu masks, locked in a mock prison cell. Organizers also paraded coffins draped with Israeli flags and staged the now-routine burning of U.S. and British flags.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took center stage in the rally’s military showcase, unveiling drones and ballistic missiles, including the Khorramshahr missile, which the regime claims has a range of 2,000 kilometers and can carry a 1,800-kilogram warhead. These displays, however, failed to overshadow the increasing struggles the regime faces domestically.
Despite the orchestrated demonstrations, many Iranians made their voices heard in a very different way. On the night of February 9, ahead of the anniversary celebrations, residents in several cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, Kermanshah, and Arak, took to their rooftops and streets chanting anti-regime slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and “Khamenei, have some shame—look at Bashar al-Assad.” Video footage circulating online showed widespread expressions of dissent, further undermining the regime’s narrative of national unity.
The 1979 revolution anniversary also coincided with alarming economic developments. The national currency continued its steep decline, with the U.S. dollar reaching an all-time high of 94,000 tomans. Meanwhile, negotiations between Tehran and Washington remained at a standstill, with Khamenei himself dismissing renewed talks as neither “rational” nor “honorable.”
#Iran's Currency and Gold Prices Surge Amid Escalating Tensions with the Westhttps://t.co/0REyGIQsCt
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) February 9, 2025
Even within the government, there were acknowledgments of the country’s dire situation. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated, “Negotiations are a two-way street, and both sides must benefit. At this moment, we see no benefit in engaging with the U.S.” This marked a rare moment of candor, exposing divisions within the regime over how to handle its mounting crises.
Beyond Theatrics
While Iranian leaders sought to use the 1979 revolution anniversary to showcase resilience, the reality on the ground told a different story. The gap between the regime’s narrative and the people’s lived experiences has never been wider. As more Iranians openly express their frustration, and as the economic and diplomatic crises deepen, the regime’s reliance on hollow slogans and forced displays of unity appears increasingly unsustainable.
The Iranian people’s growing defiance—expressed through street protests, economic discontent, and outright rejection of state propaganda—signals that the regime’s control is more fragile than ever. The question is no longer whether change is coming, but when and how it will unfold.