![\"iran-isfahan-protests-29112021\"](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/c3379456-b411-4da6-be2b-02ad858b2fb6.jpeg\" "\\"c3379456-b411-4da6-be2b-02ad858b2fb6\\"")
\nDictators have been using the \u201cdivide and conquer\u201d strategy for centuries. But for Iran\u2019s ruling theocracy with its deceitful essence, this strategy has been a fundamental pillar of policymaking.<\/p>\n
\nDictators have been using the \u201cdivide and conquer\u201d strategy for centuries. But for Iran\u2019s ruling theocracy with its deceitful essence, this strategy has been a fundamental pillar of policymaking.<\/p>\n
Following two weeks of farmers’ sit-ins in the dry riverbed of Zayandeh Rud in Isfahan, security forces stormed<\/a> their makeshift camp in the early hours of Thursday and burned their tents. The farmers had already been calling on their fellow citizens for a large gathering on Friday and the crackdown only added to the public anger towards the regime and its security apparatus.<\/p>\n Locals who had previously gathered peacefully and were protesting water shortages began chanting political slogans, such as \u201cdown with the dictator\u201d and \u201cdown with Khamenei\u201d. As the regime sensed the danger of an uprising, it resorted to the usual playbook: deceit and oppression. While the protesters were brutally beaten by anti-riot police and smeared as \u201cthugs and hooligans\u201d by the state media, the regime also attempted to foster dissension among the protesters.<\/p>\n Videos obtained by the People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization<\/a> of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) show several members of Basij paramilitary disguised as protesters, and when people chant \u201cdown with the oppressor, be it the Sheikh or Shah,\u201d these Basijis try to divert people\u2019s demands by chanting \u201cRest in peace Reza Shah\u201d as well as \u201cReza Shah, where are you? Why don\u2019t you come to our help?\u201d<\/p>\n Since the resurgence of widespread popular protests in Iran in 2018, the Iranian regime\u2019s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) has tried to oppress protesters while simultaneously redirecting their demands for a democratic country and regime change. On April 24, 2020, Iran\u2019s state-run Nasim-e Kermanshah website republished<\/a> an article initially printed by the state-run Nama News and Nasim News agencies. This article reflected the regime\u2019s fear of the MEK and its impact on society. The post was later deleted and we have resurfaced it for usage. In this article, one of Khamenei\u2019s representatives anonymously acknowledges that regime officials and state media speak of the deposed monarchy as a \u201cdistraction\u201d to prevent people from joining or supporting the MEK.<\/p>\n \u201cThen, Haji explained that there is a huge mistake in our media. This mistake is not about \u2018Knowing the enemy\u2019 but is about \u2018dealing with the enemy.\u2019 Anyone who has worked hard to preserve the inheritance of Imam [Ruhollah] Khomeini clearly knows that the only enemy of the Islamic Republic is the MEK, and that is it. But, once we enter a media war with this grouplet, we see that our writers, those giving speeches, etc. try to tie the monarchy to the MEK.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToday, I heard, Commander Kazem Mojtabaei. He said that the MEK and supporters of the monarchy were leading the recent incidents (in 2018),\u201d Khamenei\u2019s representative says. \u201cThe problem is that in his remarks, Commander Mojtabaei unintentionally distracted the minds of people and loyal forces of the system from focusing on the main enemy, which is the MEK. How on earth could we describe the monarchy as the main enemy of the system? Have they taken even one serious step to disrupt our national security? Are they even an organized force? They are just a name, monarchy, and some scattered people. Therefore, these people have never been and will not pose a threat to the system.\u201d<\/p>\n Then Khamenei\u2019s representative asks: \u201cWhy do you think there are those who clearly know that the enemy is the MEK and that the monarchy supporters are a joke, yet make the \u2018sworn enemy of the system\u2019 vague?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of our friends who had fought during the sacred defense [regime\u2019s name for the Iran-Iraq war] and whom I had seen a few times raised his hand and with a simple word gave the answer: \u2018Haji, a distraction.\u2019 I heard Haji saying \u2018well done\u2019 under his breath,\u201d the article reads.<\/p>\n Isfahan, Nov 26, 2021: A few Basiji forces affiliated with IRGC, tried to divert the protesters' slogans by chanting "Reza Shah rest in peace." The protesters by chanting "Death to Khamenei," shut them down. #Iran<\/a> #IranProtests<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hkjdPRniq4<\/a><\/p>\n — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nThe first round of major Iran protests erupted in 2018. People\u2019s social demands quickly turned political, with people demanding regime change. The regime\u2019s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, promptly acknowledged that Iran\u2019s main opposition group, Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), played a leading role during the demonstrations. Other top regime officials followed suit.<\/p>\n\n