Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, April 9, 2020—The Iranian regime’s secrecy about the coronavirus outbreak and its negligence and inability to control the situation has damaged the health and lives of an Iranian population that already resented the evil policies of their rulers. The continued mismanagement of the crisis has caused concern among officials and state-run media about the future of the mullahs’ regime.
The state-run daily Aftab-e Yazd voiced alarm about the complicating problems of the Iranian people and wrote on April 6, “The people’s livings problems could increase their dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, the government does not have the financial capacity to provide the necessary support. Synergies must be created to respond to the people’s living needs.”
Resalat, another official outlet, warned regime president Hassan Rouhani about the people’s anger and wrote on April 6, “The slightest error can cause irreparable damage to the society.” Of course, “society” is a euphemism for the term “regime” in state-run media.
Mostafa Hashemitaba, a former presidential candidate, mentioned the economic and social consequences of COVID-19 for the people, which Rouhani’s government is unable and incapable to handle.
“The COVID-19 crisis caused very serious consequences for the people’s economy and the society,” said Hashemitaba in daily Sharq on April 7. He added, “If we don’t take any lessons from the unpredictable COVID-19 crisis—which we won’t—we should know that predictable phenomena will occur and will have very deadly and devastating effects.”
Clearly, the regime’s main concern is not the future of the people but the future of its own power. Many media predict the deadly consequences of the COVID-19 crisis that can trigger nationwide uprisings.
The daily Sharq, affiliated with Rouhani’s faction, warned about “notable incidents”, “critical stage” and “the relation between the government and the people.” Sharq warns about the occurrence of incidents such as the November 2019 nationwide uprising, in which the people across Iran called for the overthrow of the regime. “The current situation requires hard decisions,” Sharq wrote.
“We must prepare for the social, political and economic consequences. In a post coronavirus situation, we will face political, economic and social problems,” said the Head of the Parliamentary Research Center to the IRGC-run Tasnim news agency on April 7.
The state-run Iran daily, which reflects the views of Rouhani’s government, wrote, “In the aftermath of the coronavirus outbreak, we will see large social movements. After the coronavirus, Iran will not be calm. Exactly like after the 2017 elections, we will see many impactful incidents.”
The main concern of state-run media and officials is that the regime is unable and incapable to handle the crisis. The COVID-19 outbreak and the regime’s secrecy and negligence are proof of the current situation.
During the 2017 and 2019 uprisings, the Iranian people echoed their desire for the overthrowing of the regime. Without a doubt, after the COVID-19 crisis, they will be more determined to that, especially since this time, the regime’s criminal mishandling of the situation has caused damage to all segments of the Iranian society. There is no sign of the regime having the intention to prioritize the people’s welfare and health, and as the situation unfolds the gap between the people and their rulers will grow and their enmity will become deeper.
