When protests erupted across Iran in late December 2025, the world watched as citizens united in a powerful push for change. The reasons were clear – economic collapse and public anger at the regime’s policies had reached a breaking point. What was perhaps less clear, however, was the Islamic Republic’s response to the chaos.
In the face of mass demonstrations and widespread dissent, the Iranian government launched a two-pronged attack. On the one hand, they sought to crush the protests with brute force, using tactics such as internet blackouts and violent crackdowns on demonstrators. But on the other hand, they also engaged in an information war – one that targeted not only the protesters, but also two of their biggest perceived enemies: Israel and the United States.
This dual approach to suppressing the protests is a clear indication of the Iranian government’s desperation and fear. While they may have succeeded in temporarily quelling the dissent, their actions have only served to further expose their true nature – one of oppression and manipulation.
The first front of the Islamic Republic’s response was the use of violence and force to suppress the protests. As images and videos of security forces beating and arresting peaceful protesters flooded social media, the world was aghast at the brutality of the regime. But this was not a new tactic – the Iranian government has a long history of violently suppressing any form of dissent.
Unfortunately, the regime’s tactics were not limited to physical violence. In an attempt to silence the voices of the protesters, the government also resorted to cutting off access to the internet and social media. By limiting the flow of information, the regime hoped to quell the spread of the protests and maintain control over the narrative. However, this only served to further enrage the protesters and the international community, who saw it as a blatant violation of human rights.
But while the government was busy focusing on silencing their own citizens, they were also engaging in a different kind of war – an information war targeting Israel and the United States. Through state-run media outlets and social media, the Iranian government launched a campaign to deflect attention away from the protests and towards their perceived enemies.
One of the main targets of this campaign was Israel. The Iranian government has long been at odds with the Jewish state, and they used the protests as an opportunity to accuse Israel of instigating the demonstrations. They claimed that Israeli intelligence agencies were behind the unrest, and even went as far as to accuse Mossad agents of being on the ground, stoking the flames of dissent.
But perhaps the most concerning aspect of the Iranian regime’s information war was their targeting of the United States. Using similar tactics as those employed against Israel, the government tried to paint the US as the driving force behind the protests. They accused the US of funding and supporting the protesters, and even went as far as to claim that American agents were involved in orchestrating the demonstrations.
These baseless accusations are not only a reflection of the Iranian government’s paranoia and desperation, but also a dangerous attempt to deflect attention away from the true cause of the protests – their own failed policies and oppressive rule. By blaming outsiders for their own problems, the Iranian government is attempting to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and maintain their grip on power.
But the people of Iran are not fooled. Despite the regime’s attempts to silence them and deflect attention, they continue to bravely speak out and demand change. And despite the government’s information war, the world stands in solidarity with the Iranian people and their fight for freedom and democracy.
As the protests in Iran may have subsided, the regime’s actions have only served to further expose their true nature – one of fear, suppression, and manipulation. The Iranian government’s use of violence and information warfare is a clear indication of their desperation to maintain control. However, they cannot hide the truth forever. The people of Iran have shown that they will not be silenced, and their voices will continue to be heard. The world is watching, and we stand in support of the Iranian people in their struggle for a better future.
