Iranians say the regime is at war 'with its own people'

In the Iranian city of Isfahan, the bustling bazaar is noticeably quieter than usual, as the country grapples with the consequences of a five-month-long war, according to Vahid, a shop owner who wished to remain anonymous. He explained that people are overwhelmed with despair and uncertainty, unsure whether to save their money, buy food, or purchase other items.

The regime, which launched the war on February 28 with the assistance of the United States and Israel, has tightened its grip on the population, with security forces conducting frequent checkpoints and surveillance, according to Leila, another shop owner who also wished to remain anonymous. She added that the constant atmosphere of fear and anxiety makes it difficult for people to move about freely, even when it seems safe to do so.

The war has exacerbated Iran's economic woes, which had already been exacerbated by surging inflation and the devaluation of the Iranian Rial. The regime's strict security environment has only become more intense since the conflict began, with people fearing potential repercussions for any perceived transgressions. As the war enters its fifth month, US President Donald Trump has threatened to resume all-out fighting if a long-term peace deal cannot be reached.

However, many Iranians feel they are caught in the middle of the conflict, sacrificing themselves for a cause they may not fully support.

While the regime has faced international condemnation for its brutal crackdown on protesters in January, it has continued to carry out executions and imprison dissidents at an alarming rate. In response, organizations such as Hengaw have documented thousands of arrests, sentences, and executions, highlighting the regime's continued repression of its own people.

Despite facing international scrutiny, the Iranian government has used executions as a means to intimidate the population and silence dissent, according to Rana Dadpour, founder of diaspora advocacy group AUSIRAN. She believes that the regime is more frightened of its own people than it is of external threats, as evidenced by the surge in executions and the continued support for the hard-line theocracy.