Demonstrations against the repressive regime have been going on in Iran for weeks. It was completely taken by surprise by the strength of the protests and can only help itself ever since by using violence against its own population.
An audio recording leaked by the Iranian hacker group “Black Reward” now makes it clear how seriously the government now views the situation. Media outlets such as “BBC Farsi” or “Voice of America Farsi” have identified the two-hour recording as real, according to a report by “Spiegel”. Several men from the top of the conservative Iranian leadership can be heard, including confidants of the revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (83).
“Unfortunately, the role of women has increased”
To the outside world, those circles always play down the protests and ensure that everything is under control. However, the recording suggests the opposite. Iran’s powerful seem to know that the demonstrations are popular and much bigger than they previously thought.
In particular, the representatives of the regime fear that the importance of Iranian women will increase further. “Unfortunately, the role of women has increased significantly. Up to 47 percent of the participants are women,” said a confidante of the revolutionary leader Khamenei. Ghoreyshi is also deputy commander of the Basij militia, which has brutally repressed protests for weeks.
Regime wants to focus on well-known actresses
According to the men, it would be dangerous if more women took off their headscarves on social media. The powerful have set their sights on well-known actresses who could serve as role models.
They are also concerned about public perception if popular opposition figures are killed. This could further swell the protests. The aim is to prevent this by motivating the armed forces to take even harder action against the demonstrators. A pay rise is promised.
“Lost the media war”
The group also discussed how the protest movement should be described in propaganda. You have to talk about the riots as if they were already over, Ghoreyshi said. The men agree that the protests have been fueled and controlled by the US and Israel.
Iran’s powerful seem to have realized that the system is faltering. “We completely lost the media war,” they must admit. (ceded)