Over the decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has strategically invested in various Islamist groups, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon, Palestinian factions like Hamas, and other militant proxies across the Middle East. This investment served two core objectives: exporting the revolution envisioned by Ayatollah Khomeini and ensuring the eventual destruction of Israel, a cornerstone of Tehran’s ideological and geopolitical ambitions. However, these policies, combined with the fallout from Iran’s nuclear program, have increasingly isolated the country from the global economy.
International sanctions, particularly those targeting its energy and financial sectors, have exacerbated Iran’s economic difficulties. The regime’s involvement in conflicts such as Syria’s civil war, Iraq, and Yemen has strained national resources further, leaving little room for addressing domestic challenges. Simultaneously, political repression within Iran has intensified. Those who do not subscribe to Ayatollah Khamenei’s ideological stance or the state’s vision have been increasingly marginalized, contributing to growing social unrest.
This repression, combined with worsening economic conditions and social limitations, has fueled resentment among Iranians. For many, the government’s policies appear more focused on projecting power in the region than on addressing the pressing needs of the Iranian populace. As inflation soared and unemployment remained high, the regime’s prioritization of external causes — from the Palestinian struggle to Hezbollah’s military campaigns — became a point of contention.
This discontent came to a head in 2009 during the Green Movement, when protests erupted following a disputed presidential election. While initially focused on calls for political reform, the movement quickly became a broader critique of the regime’s foreign policy and ideological focus. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I Give My Life to Iran,” expressing frustration at the regime’s apparent neglect of domestic concerns. Another popular chant, “Forget Palestine, think about us!” called for the government to shift its attention away from regional conflicts and prioritize the needs of its own citizens.
Parallel to this dissatisfaction with political Islam and foreign entanglements has been a noticeable increase in secularization within Iran. Many Iranians are growing weary of political Islam and Islamist groups that advocate for governance based on Sharia law and an Islamic constitution. This shift is evident in the rising desire for the separation of mosque and state, as well as the privatization of religion in public life. What began as dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy has transformed into broader disillusionment with the regime’s ideological commitments, including its confrontation with Israel.
Over time, a growing number of Iranians have gone from merely criticizing the regime’s support for Islamist groups to actively expressing support for Israel. Despite the Islamic Republic’s vehement anti-Israel stance, many Iranians now view Israel not as an enemy but as a modern, technologically advanced state that has thrived despite being surrounded by hostile neighbors. Israel’s high-tech sector, water management innovations, and overall resilience have become sources of admiration for some Iranians. The contrast between Iran’s economic woes and Israel’s success has only widened the gap between the regime’s anti-Israel rhetoric and the sentiments of its people.
In defiance of state propaganda, many Iranians have refused to participate in symbolic acts of hostility toward Israel and the United States. For instance, while the government paints American and Israeli flags on the streets to encourage people to walk on them as a form of protest, many Iranians refuse to do so, subtly signaling their disagreement with the regime’s narrative. This quiet defiance extends beyond symbolic acts. Some Iranian athletes, such as judoka Saeid Mollaei, have competed against Israeli opponents, despite the harsh punishments imposed by the regime for such actions.
The divide between the regime and its people became even more evident after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. While the Islamic Republic and Ayatollah Khamenei praised Hamas’s actions as legitimate resistance against Israel, many Iranians both inside and outside the country rejected this narrative. Among the Iranian diaspora, there was widespread condemnation of Hamas, and many voiced their support for Israel, underscoring the growing disconnect between the regime’s ideology and the views of its people. Signs at various demonstrations read, “I am Persian, not a Muslim,” reflecting a broader secular trend and discontent with political Islam.
For many Iranians, groups like Hamas and Hezbollah are now seen not as champions of resistance, but as contributors to regional instability and barriers to Iran’s own progress. This sentiment reflects a profound shift in public opinion within Iran — away from political Islam and towards a future where the country’s prosperity and stability are prioritized over ideological struggles abroad. The growing admiration for Israel, despite decades of government hostility, underscores the depth of this change, as more Iranians look beyond the regime’s propaganda and toward a future that values development over conflict.
