Mass Rallies in Support of Iran’s Authorities: Why Now

The selected analytical mode is “Why now.” Mass rallies in support of Iran’s current authorities are occurring at a moment when the country is experiencing several crisis processes simultaneously. Street protests, economic pressure, threats from the United States, and the intensification of external rhetoric have created a situation in which the state finds it important to demonstrate the existence of a social base of support.

The context of these events has been forming over recent weeks. Amid rising prices and social discontent, anti-government demonstrations took place in a number of regions, accompanied by clashes and arrests. At the same time, external pressure increased, including statements by US officials, sanctions threats, and open support for protest movements from abroad. Under these conditions, the issue of internal legitimacy has become critical for Tehran.

The rallies in support of the authorities reflect an effort to consolidate the loyal segment of society and show that the protests are not nationwide. For the country’s leadership, this is a way to assert control over the situation and demonstrate that the political system retains the support of a significant portion of the population, especially in major cities and religious centers.

From a political perspective, such actions operate on several levels at once. Domestically, they serve as a signal of stability to elites and security structures. Externally, they function as an argument against accusations of lost control and as a basis for a tougher stance in negotiations with Western states. Economically, this is also an attempt to reduce the effect of uncertainty and maintain basic governability.

At the same time, serious limitations remain. It is impossible to accurately assess the balance between supporters and opponents of the authorities, as well as the degree of organization behind the rallies. It is unclear whether the demonstrations will lead to a reduction in protest activity or remain only a temporary episode within a longer crisis. Further developments will depend on the economic situation and the external actions of key international players.