Iran's ruling elite has released staged images of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attempt to project strength and boost morale among its military forces, which are struggling with nationwide protests. The move comes as the Iranian regime issues fresh threats against the US and Europe.
The photographs, published by Iranian state media last month, show Khamenei praying at the tomb of Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. However, opposition groups claim that the images were staged to send a message of strength and resilience rather than reassure the public.
According to Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the regime is desperate to boost morale among its security forces, which are facing significant challenges due to weeks of suppressing nationwide protests. "The images of Ali Khamenei were pure propaganda," Safavi said. "He wanted to show that he is not afraid of dying, but at the same time he is desperately trying to boost the morale of his demoralized forces."
Safavi also noted that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is the backbone of the regime's power, is showing signs of strain after weeks of suppressing protests. "The IRGC is the backbone of this regime," Safavi said. "Its disintegration can only occur after a fundamental shift in the balance of forces and with the presence of organized resistance on the ground."
The Iranian regime has reacted angrily to recent calls from European lawmakers to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Tehran responded by displaying Iranian lawmakers in IRGC uniforms during a highly choreographed show of solidarity, according to reports.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program, "we'll find out" whether Khamenei's warning proves correct. The US has increased military pressure on Iran, including dispatching a naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region.
The IRGC dominates Iran's economy and permeates the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as educational institutions. "Doing business with Iran means doing business with the IRGC," Safavi said. "The IRGC is the regime — even the clerics."
The photographs, published by Iranian state media last month, show Khamenei praying at the tomb of Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. However, opposition groups claim that the images were staged to send a message of strength and resilience rather than reassure the public.
According to Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the regime is desperate to boost morale among its security forces, which are facing significant challenges due to weeks of suppressing nationwide protests. "The images of Ali Khamenei were pure propaganda," Safavi said. "He wanted to show that he is not afraid of dying, but at the same time he is desperately trying to boost the morale of his demoralized forces."
Safavi also noted that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is the backbone of the regime's power, is showing signs of strain after weeks of suppressing protests. "The IRGC is the backbone of this regime," Safavi said. "Its disintegration can only occur after a fundamental shift in the balance of forces and with the presence of organized resistance on the ground."
The Iranian regime has reacted angrily to recent calls from European lawmakers to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Tehran responded by displaying Iranian lawmakers in IRGC uniforms during a highly choreographed show of solidarity, according to reports.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program, "we'll find out" whether Khamenei's warning proves correct. The US has increased military pressure on Iran, including dispatching a naval strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region.
The IRGC dominates Iran's economy and permeates the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as educational institutions. "Doing business with Iran means doing business with the IRGC," Safavi said. "The IRGC is the regime — even the clerics."
and these protests r getting outta hand, i feel bad 4 the ppl stuck in the middle. at the same time, you gotta wonder how much longer this regime can keep going, especially with the us breathing down their necks... 
. But what's even more concerning is how the IRGC is showing signs of strain after weeks of suppressing protests 
. It's not just about Khamenei or the US, it's about the entire regime's grip on power 
... and that's where things get really interesting 
I'm not surprised they're trying to project strength but these staged images just seem so fake 
. Like, who really prays at a tomb? It's all about sending a message to their military forces and the public, but it comes across as desperate 
. The fact that the IRGC is showing signs of strain after suppressing protests for weeks is not good news for Iran 
. I don't think they can keep up this facade much longer 
. It's all a bit too choreographed and rehearsed 
.
. Remember how Ayatollah Khomeini used to be all about the revolution and rallying the people? Nowadays, it feels like they're just reenacting propaganda photos 
.
.
. I'm not sure what's more cringeworthy, the fact that they're trying to recreate this image or the fact that people are actually buying into it 
. I mean, can't we all just have a peaceful resolution to this thing? 
? 
. And don't even get me started on the military - they're basically begging for a confrontation with the US, which is just gonna lead to more instability and suffering for the people of Iran 
.
. It's just a shame that it's gonna take a crisis of epic proportions before something gets done 
.
they're releasing staged pics of supreme leader khamenei praying and it's just like "oh great leader, we're all scared of you" 
it's literally the reason why protests are still raging on 
safavi said they're showing signs of strain and i'm like "yaaas, finally some truth" 
but what's the end goal here? 
it's like Iran is begging for more sanctions and military intervention. 
also its interesting how much power the irgc has over iran's economy and government 
.
️ Here's the chart: [link to tweet] 
. Did you know that Iran's inflation rate has been steadily increasing since 2018? 
It's now at a 4-year high! 
The stats are here: [link to data] 
... but let's put this into perspective. According to our research, the IRGC has around 120k personnel, while the entire US military has over 1.3m! 
... and did you know that the UK's sanctions on Iran have led to a significant increase in their oil exports? 
It's now over 700k barrels per day! 
The numbers are here: [link to data] 
and show off your military might? But seriously, Safavi's got some valid points - it's all about boosting morale among demoralized forces. And honestly, we should be worried 'bout the IRGC's strain... if they're crumbling, so is the whole regime 