Sections of Iran’s splintered opposition have rallied behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call to clear the path for their freedom.
Israel, on Friday launched massive air strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with barrages of missiles, and Netanyahu had told the Iranian people in a video message that in addition to Israel’s aim of thwarting Iran’s nuclear programme, “we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom.”
Recall that there are no official opposition groups inside Iran, where authorities have long cracked down on dissent, including a wave of mass executions and imprisonments in the 1980s.
Since then, most opposition groups have operated from abroad, including two of the most organised groups: the pro-monarchy supporters of Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran, and the exiled Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation, MEK/MKO.
It has also become increasingly difficult for journalists to contact people inside Iran, due to the authorities restricting access to the internet and social media.
According to 26-year old Tara (not real names), when Israel issues evacuation warnings ahead of strikes, authorities shut off internet access “so that people don’t find out and the death toll rises.”
Checkpoints and toll stations are also set up, she says, accusing authorities of “deliberately” creating traffic, which “encourages people to stay in targeted areas.”
“Talking about patriotism, unity, and standing up to the enemy is absurd. The enemy has been killing us slowly for decades. The enemy is the Islamic Republic!”
The Israeli military has been issuing evacuation warnings via Telegram and X, which are banned in Iran. Coupled with limited internet access, this means it’s difficult for Iranians to see the warnings.
Sima, 27, says she does not care about this anymore. “I wish Israel would get the job done as soon as possible. I’m exhausted. Although I’m still not a fan of Israel or what it’s doing, I hope they’d finish what they’ve started.
“Wishful thinking, I know. But I want them to rid us and the world of the threat of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and ayatollahs as a whole.”
Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, including the powerful IRGC, which is tasked with defending the Islamic system and overseeing Iran’s ballistic missiles. The recent Israeli strikes have killed many senior IRGC figures, including its commander, Hossein Salami.
For Amir, 23, he supports Israel “100%”. Asked why, he said he believed no-one else was prepared to take on the regime.
“Not the UN, not Europe, not even us. We tried, remember? And they killed us in the streets. I’m joyful when the people who’ve crushed our lives finally taste fear. We deserve that much.”
Amir was referring to the widespread protests in Iran following the death of Masha Amini, the 22-year-old who died in police custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly violating rules requiring women to wear the headscarf.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group reported that 537 protesters were killed by state security forces during the unrest.
The rallying cry of the protests – “woman, life, freedom” – was repeated by Netanyahu on Friday in both English and Persian, as he urged Iranians to “stand up and let your voices be heard.”
Iran has not officially responded to the Israeli prime minister’s calls, but some hardliners and media figures have mocked and dismissed the remarks. Meanwhile, authorities have warned against sharing campaigns and statements by Israeli and US officials.
However, some opponents of the Islamic Republic are suspicious of Netanyahu’s intentions, however.
“I participated in the protests [in 2022] because I had hope for a regime change then. I just don’t 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 protests.
“Israel is killing ordinary people as well. At some point, people will start to take the side of the Islamic Republic,” he added.
