On January 22, Iranian regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s website published a speech he had given to “producers and private-sector economic activists,” which was both delusional and utterly grim.
He attempted to depict a façade of strength and progress for his regime, but such remarks rely on deceptive strategies to deflect responsibility and project blame for the nation’s crises. These comments not only fail to address the deepening and compounding crises caused by his regime but also signal the impending collapse of his crumbling rule.
Khamenei spoke of a “discouraging atmosphere” that he claimed is being spread among youth and university students by “enemies with specific motives.”
The reality is that the widespread despair in society—along with the fear and anxiety felt even among the regime’s own agents and mercenaries—stems from the profound economic, political, and social crises for which this regime is directly responsible.
Khamenei also emphasized the country’s “advancements” and “forward progress,” but these so-called “achievements” appear blatantly false when contrasted with the mounting economic and social crises.
The exhibitions he referenced, which he claimed demonstrate the progress of the private sector, are nothing more than ineffective and poorly executed propaganda stunts meant to obscure the unsolvable crises.
Khamenei’s rhetoric about strengthening the private sector, based on the regime’s laws, underscores the further enrichment of his regime’s loyalists and affiliates at the expense of remaining national resources. It has often been said that there is no private sector in Iran. Under the so-called “privatization” policies, numerous state-owned factories and enterprises, as well as those confiscated from affiliates of Pahlavi dictatorship were transferred to government institutions and officials. Essentially, these factories and enterprises were handed over to regime-linked entities at nominal prices.
The primary beneficiaries of the anti-popular privatization policies, who seized major factories and production facilities, are the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and institutions affiliated with Khamenei’s office, such as the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), the Foundation of the Oppressed, the Martyrs Foundation, and other entities linked to Khamenei’s inner circle.
Regime-affiliated institutions and individuals have exploited their political and economic influence to take control of numerous large economic companies and institutions, disguising their acquisitions under the guise of “privatization.”
Thus, the reality is that an independent private sector, independent from the regime, barely exists. Any institutions that do operate independently are struggling to survive.
One of the issues raised by Khamenei was his criticism of “reliance on the dollar” and his emphasis on eliminating it from trade exchanges. He made unfounded and unscientific remarks about the need to utilize the “BRICS financial system” and reduce dependency on the dollar. While this claim may initially appear appealing, the reality is that the BRICS financial system is neither fully functional nor impactful. The system is still in its early stages of development and is far from capable of independently addressing the structural problems of Iran’s economy under the clerical regime. Furthermore, BRICS member countries may lack the willingness to support Iran’s policies due to various political and economic pressures. Thus, Khamenei’s claim about removing the dollar from Iran’s trade exchanges is a political and propagandistic slogan aimed at calming the domestic atmosphere and boosting the morale of his regime’s disheartened supporters.
In another part of his speech, Khamenei referred to Gaza and the “victory of the resistance,” portraying it as a significant achievement and a triumph for his regime. This comes at a time when recent developments in Gaza, along with ceasefire negotiations, and prior strategic defeats in Syria and Lebanon, expose the extent of Iran’s diminishing regional influence. Creating a façade of strength for a decrepit and crisis-stricken regime on the brink of collapse is a common tactic among dictators nearing their end. Khamenei might continue spreading this delusion, but it is evident to all that he has no escape from the quagmire of strategic failures. Any claims of victory or progress under such circumstances are nothing but propaganda and delusional exhibitions. A regime past its expiration date cannot be sustained with mere displays and exhibitions.
