Young anti-regime Iranians divided over conflict

Last Friday, Israel launched massive air strikes on Iran, which prompted Tehran to retaliate with missile dams.

In a video message that day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Iranian people in addition to Israel’s objective to thwart the Iranian nuclear program, “we also erase the way so that you can get your freedom”.

Certain sections of the exploded opposition of Iran have rallied behind the call of Netanyahu. Others are suspicious of his goal.

There are no official opposition groups within Iran, where the authorities have long suppressed dissent, including a wave of mass executions and imprisonment in the 1980s.

Since then, most opposition groups have operated from abroad, including two of the most organized groups: the pro-monarchy supporters of Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran, and the Mojahedin-E Khalq organization (Mek / MKO).

It has become increasingly difficult for journalists to contact people in Iran, due to the authorities restricting access to Internet and social media.

We have managed to speak to several young Iranians who oppose the regime – and we have expressed against this in the past – in recent days, however.

Their names have been modified for their security while the Iranian authorities frequently imprison opponents to try to remove dissent.

Tara, 26, told the BBC that when Israel issues evacuation warnings before strikes, the authorities have closed internet access “so that people do not discover it and the number of deaths increases”.

Control points and toll stations are also set up, she said, accusing the authorities of creating “deliberately” traffic, which “encourages people to stay in targeted areas”.

“Talking about patriotism, unity and defending the enemy is absurd. The enemy has killed us slowly for decades. The enemy is the Islamic Republic!”

The Israeli army has issued evacuation warnings via Telegram and X, which are prohibited in Iran. Coupled with limited access to the Internet means that it is difficult for Iranians to see the warnings.

Sima, 27, tells us that she doesn’t care.

“I hope that Israel does the job as soon as possible. I am exhausted. Although I am still not a fan of Israel or what he does, I hope they would finish what they started.

“Pious wishes, I know. But I want them to get rid of us and the world of the threat of the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps],, [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei and Ayatollahs as a whole. “”

Khamenei, Iranian supreme chief, is commander -in -chief of the armed forces, including the powerful IRGC, who is responsible for defending the Islamic system and supervising the ballistic missiles of Iran. The recent Israeli strikes have killed many IRGC personalities, including its commander, Hossein Salami.

Some people we talked about were even more energetic in their support for Israel’s attacks.

Amir, 23, said that he supported them “100%”. When asked why he said he thought no one else was ready to adopt the regime.

“Not the UN, not Europe, not even we. We tried, remember? And they killed us in the streets. I am happy when the people who crushed our lives have finally tasted fear. We deserve so much.”

Amir refers to generalized demonstrations in Iran after the death of Masha Amini. The 22 -year -old man died in police custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly raped rules forcing women to wear the scarf.

The Iranian Human Rights Group based in Norway reported that 537 demonstrators had been killed by state security forces during the troubles. The government’s official line is that “the security forces acted with responsibility”, accusing deaths on violent demonstrators or foreign agitators.

The rallying cry of demonstrations – “woman, life, freedom” – was repeated by Netanyahu on Friday in English and Persian, while he urged the Iranians to “get up and let your voices be heard”.

Iran did not officially respond to the calls of the Israeli Prime Minister, but some personalities and the media personalities laughed and rejected the remarks. Meanwhile, the authorities warned the sharing of campaigns and declarations by Israeli and American officials.

However, some opponents of the Islamic Republic are wary of Netanyahu’s intentions.

“I participated in the demonstrations [in 2022] Because I had the hope of a regime change. I simply do not see how the regime could be overthrown in this conflict without Iran itself being destroyed in the process, “said Navid, a 25-year-old activist who was briefly arrested during the demonstrations.

“Israel also kills ordinary people. At one point, people will begin to take the side of the Islamic Republic,” he added.

Darya, 26, said: “I think the fact that people do not come forward to protest is already a clear response” to the call of Netanyahu.

“I would not even go even if Israel bombed my house. Netanyahu hides behind Iranian nationalist slogans and claims that he helps Iranians reach freedom while he is targeted from residential areas. This will take years just to rebuild the country.”

Arezou, 22, said she didn’t know what to think.

“I hate the diet, and I hate what it did to us. But when I see bombs fall, I think of my grandmother, my little cousin. And I saw what Netanyahu did to Gaza-do you really think he cares about Iranians? It is not for us, it is Gaza [Israeli] politics, “she said.

“I feel like I have to choose between two ailments, and I can’t. I just want my people safe. I want to breathe without fear.”

Mina, 27, said: “I want this diet to have passed more than anything – but not like that. Not through more bombs, more death.”

“Israel is not our Savior. When the innocent people die, it is not a step towards freedom, it is another form of injustice. I do not want to exchange a kind of terror for another. I am against this regime and also against this war. We deserve a better way out than that.”