Iran propaganda push seeks to project unity despite internal divisions

Tehran is orchestrating a visible campaign to project an image of national unity and defiance against global adversaries. The streets of the capital are adorned with posters celebrating national solidarity and victory, a stark contrast to the internal realities of widespread disillusionment and economic suffering. This narrative, as highlighted by the Kathmandu Post, seeks to rally the populace by invoking a spirit of resistance, a theme deeply ingrained in Iran's historical identity.

“

The old ideology of the Islamic Republic no longer really had much traction within the society. And therefore there was a need to draw on other elements of Iranian identity that could mobilise masses.

The shift in propaganda strategy is particularly noteworthy. Gone is the heavy reliance on revolutionary religious slogans that once defined the Islamic Republic. Instead, the current messaging leans on broader nationalist and historical Persian symbols, a move aimed at broadening appeal beyond the hardline base. This includes staging mass weddings with military themes and public gun training sessions, all designed to foster a sense of collective strength and resilience. Even state television is reportedly showing content, such as women without headscarves at rallies, that would have been unthinkable previously, an attempt to project an image of normalcy and unity.

However, the effectiveness of this carefully crafted narrative is a subject of debate among analysts. While Iran has demonstrated a capacity to withstand external pressures, such as closing the Strait of Hormuz and engaging in negotiations, the internal situation remains precarious. The economy is in dire straits, exacerbated by war, and a growing campaign of repression signals the authorities' deep-seated fear of renewed internal unrest. The propaganda, therefore, appears to be a strategic effort to manage these internal challenges by drawing on established motifs of national resistance and external villainy, while downplaying some of the more divisive revolutionary imagery.

“

It’s an attempt to show that ​everything is normal in Iran, we’re all united and we don’t butcher our own people.

From an Iranian perspective, this propaganda push is a complex balancing act. It attempts to leverage historical pride and nationalistic sentiment to consolidate support, particularly as the country navigates significant geopolitical tensions and economic difficulties. The emphasis on symbols like Rais Ali Delvari, a historical guerrilla leader, alongside more traditional anti-US imagery, reflects an effort to connect with a wider spectrum of Iranian identity. Yet, the underlying message from analysts like Ali Vaez and Ali Ansari suggests that while this may resonate with some, the deep-seated disillusionment among a significant portion of the population remains a formidable challenge for the authorities.

“

It’ll work to some extent with waverers in the middle but most Iranians don’t believe it really.