Tehran streets filled as thousands rally in support of government amid conflict

WEB DESK: Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the Iranian capital on Tuesday, 24 March, in a massive show of public support for the government as the country continues to face a direct military conflict with US and Israeli forces.

Waving the national flag and carrying portraits of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the crowds marched through major thoroughfares, including Valiasr Street and Enghelab Square. State-run media outlets highlighted the demonstrations as evidence of national unity, reporting that similar rallies had broken out in other major cities, including Karaj, Ilam, and Sari, according to Al Jazeera.

The displays of loyalty come at a critical juncture for the Islamic Republic, which has been under intense aerial bombardment since late February.

Chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” echoed through the capital, even as the distant thud of anti-aircraft fire and explosions from ongoing strikes continued to be heard on the outskirts of the city.

A nation under fire

The rallies are being framed by Tehran as a “spontaneous” response to the US-Israeli air campaign, which has targeted military infrastructure, security checkpoints, and several high-ranking officials. However, international observers and rights groups suggest the demonstrations are heavily choreographed by the state to project an image of stability following the assassination of the former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, earlier this month.

Despite a nationwide internet blackout and a deteriorating economic situation marked by bread rationing and a collapsing currency, the government has used these public gatherings to signal that its core support base remains intact.

Official statements broadcast on state television praised the “iron will” of the Iranian people, claiming that the “foreign aggression” has only served to bridge domestic divides.

Military officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were seen amongst the crowds in Tehran, with some addressing the masses to vow “unforgettable” retaliation for the strikes.

As the conflict enters its fourth week, both the Iranian leadership and the US administration under President Donald Trump have sent mixed signals regarding potential talks, but for those on the streets of Tehran today, the rhetoric remained firmly focused on defiance.