Islamic Republic Openly Launches Project to Militarize Society and Government of Intimidation
Broadcasting Kalashnikov training from Islamic Republic state media, holding public weapons training courses in city squares, and the presence of armed presenters on live television has sparked a wave of reactions; an action that critics view as part of the government’s project to create fear, securitize society, and prepare loyal forces to suppress potential protests.
While millions of Iranians live under the pressure of inflation, repression, internet shutdowns, and economic crises, the Islamic Republic has this time put on display a new project for militarizing public spaces and intimidating society; from weapons training in urban squares to the presence of television presenters with military weapons on official state media programs.
Over the past few days, videos have been circulating from nighttime gatherings of government supporters in some Tehran squares and other cities in which military personnel and instructors affiliated with government institutions are teaching citizens how to operate individual weapons, assembling and disassembling Kalashnikovs, and shooting principles. International media have reported that these trainings are being held openly in public spaces and even portions of them have been broadcast by Iran’s state television.
In one of the most controversial images released, a television presenter affiliated with state media fires an AK-47 in front of the camera; a scene that has triggered widespread reactions on social media and foreign outlets. The NDTV network reported that Iranian state television has described these trainings as part of “public preparedness for national defense.” However, many critics and political activists say the main purpose of these displays is not “national defense” but rather creating fear in society and preparing loyal forces to confront domestic protests.
But many critics and political activists say the main purpose of these displays is not “national defense” but rather creating fear in society and preparing loyal forces to counter domestic protests. In their view, a government that has for years responded to popular protests with bullets, arrests, and repression is now trying to further militarize and securitize urban spaces.
Euronews also recently reported that while weapons training is being broadcast from Iranian television, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has expanded its recruitment of young people and even children for security activities and inspection checkpoints. The report states that some television programs have even included “symbolic shooting at images of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu”; an action that critics view as a blatant example of promoting government violence.
In recent weeks, multiple images have also been released showing military training of women and teenagers in main Tehran squares. Foreign media have reported that at Vanak Square in Tehran, military instructors publicly taught how to use weapons, target, and assemble firearms.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations have warned that the Islamic Republic has increasingly militarized the country’s spaces following recent bloody protests. Amnesty International in a report spoke of “severe repression and widespread militarization” in Iran and emphasized that the government, through deploying armed forces, mass arrests, and creating an atmosphere of terror, is attempting to prevent the formation of new protests.
Many social media users have also described these actions as signs of the government’s fear of the people. In one widely-echoed reaction on Reddit, it stated: “The Islamic Republic now broadcasts weapons training on state television; the regime is preparing its loyalists to suppress people in the event of an uprising.”
Critics say that a government that has proven incapable of solving economic, social, and political crises is now, instead of responding to people’s demands, attempting to intimidate Iran’s angry society through displaying weapons, expanding paramilitary training programs, and turning streets into security maneuver grounds; an effort that in many people’s view, rather than a sign of authority, reflects the Islamic Republic’s fear of a society that grows more dissatisfied each day.
