Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president of the Iranian regime, who has seized every opportunity to flatter Ali Khamenei since taking office, has recently set new records in his servility and praise for the regime’s enforcers, showcasing behaviors that are far removed from public interests.
On the anniversary of the death of Qassem Soleimani, the former IRGC Quds Force commander responsible for atrocities in the region, Pezeshkian stated, “The existence of Soleimani and his path can serve as a lasting model for the path we must follow,” and added, “I have always been and will always be proud of General Soleimani with all my heart.”
Pezeshkian, who described the perpetrator of the killings of innocents inside Iran and across the Middle East as “obedient and loyal to his leader,” added with distortions, “Today, five years after this dear one, you see the enthusiasm to continue this great man’s path growing more and more in this country and the region.”
Pezeshkian’s shameless claims come at a time when, five years after Soleimani’s death, global media headlines highlight the tearing down of his images in liberated Syrian cities and the cries of hatred and curses from the oppressed people of Syria against Soleimani’s crimes, which led to the killing and displacement of millions of Syrians.
On Sunday, January 5, Pezeshkian made an appalling tribute to the State Security Forces, who are responsible for killing protesters, suppressing uprisings, executing dissidents, and demolishing the shelters of the destitute. He stated, “You, the law enforcement officers, are the fortresses, bulwarks, adornments, and sources of pride and honor for the nation and the country. Without your presence in society and among the people, life could not continue, as you establish and maintain justice and rights through round-the-clock efforts and with the help of your tools and equipment… Without the State Security Forces, chaos and wrongdoing would prevail in society, and tyranny and oppression would dominate.”
Pezeshkian, describing the rightful protests of the people as “chaos and wrongdoing” and labeling the clerical regime as the “nation” and “society,” attributed the regime’s security to the people victimized by the security forces. Addressing the enforcers, he said, “Wherever you are present, people feel safe and at ease, and this is itself a symbol of hope for a bright future. You are the guarantors of the country’s movement toward justice and rights… The life of society and government cannot continue without you. You are the manifestation of justice and rights in society.”
The regime’s president did not stop at mere verbal praise for these criminals but committed to fully supporting them, saying, “In our government, we consider ourselves obligated to provide whatever is necessary for your comfort, tranquility, and equipment so that you can carry out your duties in society with peace of mind.”
This carte blanche for the suppressors is the other side of the coin of power outages, rising prices, and the plundering of the people’s livelihoods. It mirrors the silencing of workers, teachers, and retirees who receive nothing but batons and bullets from security forces in response to their legitimate demands.
Alongside Pezeshkian, Ahmadreza Radan, the head of the State Security Forces, also issued threats and warnings to protesters, saying, “The soldiers of the Supreme Leader pledge today to decisively confront those who disrupt social norms and create insecurity in living and business environments.”
Both Pezeshkian’s praise for the SSF and the threats and warnings from its chief stem from the same source: an effort to boost the morale of the regime’s weakened forces, who are demoralized by witnessing the fate of the Assad regime and its oppressive forces. On the other hand, these statements reflect the regime’s fear of the society’s critical condition and the people’s uprising out of desperation.