Tone Change, From Soft War to Hard War

Senior Islamic republic officials have conspicuously changed their tone since the passage of the fourth UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran, the economic and social repercussions of which are beginning to emerge, while foreign threats are also on the rise. While until now, ayatollah Khamenei and military officers spoke about the need to confront a “soft war” and “domestic conspirators,” the discourse is changing conspicuously to stress the need to confront the “soft and hard war,” “enemies and their domestic agents,” and in many instances reference to the “eight-year Iran-Iraq war.”

Speaking to commanders from the Islamic Passdaran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), ayatollah Khamenei said, “All national officials must carry out their heavy duties in the various fields and be ready to confront anything as they have been for the past 31 years. Certainly, and without any doubt, the great Iranian nation and the Islamic republic will continue to emerge victorious from this perpetual struggle, as they have been in the past.”

The Islamic republic supreme leader noted “flexibility and openness to change” to be among the IRGC’s distinctive characteristics, adding, “In the immediate years after the revolution, the IRGC retained its identity in combating anti-revolutionary groups in the streets of Tehran, in clashes in border provinces, during the eight year holy war [the term used by the Islamic republic to refer to the Iran-Iraq war] and in many other and different contexts. Showing great flexibility, the IRGC adjusted its structure to meet the needs of the time in order to carry out its duties.”

Pointing to the passage of the Security Council sanctions against Iran and the developments in the region, ayatollah Khamenei emphasized, “They speak to make us fear that something very dangerous is hidden behind their threats. Whether the threats are real or exaggerated, we must undoubtedly be ready for everything in order to protect the Islamic revolution, the dear Iranian nation and the proud country of Iran.”

Speaking to commanders who played an influential role in suppressing people who have been protesting against the fraudulent 2009 presidential election results, ayatollah Khamenei added, “During last year’s conspiracy, Americans quickly involved themselves too and supported the leaders of the conspiracy and those whose necks really are under the heavy burden of the conspiracy. But the Almighty and the nation’s resolve defeated them.”

Last week, commenting on the UN’s sanctions against Iran, the leader of Iran’s Green Movement Mir-Hossein Mousavi had warned, “We must all be cognizant of the pitiful fate of other countries in the region that have fallen for the empty and hubristic rhetoric of their leaders.”

The former prime minister added, “Certain individuals who, by their witty rants and boasts, pretend that nothing has happened, are betraying our people. If our nation’s readiness is the most important element in fighting the potential dangers we face, then it is incumbent upon us to inform the public as much as possible about the potential security consequences associated with the current situation we find ourselves in. If this is too difficult a task for government officials, then they should at least allow independent media outlets to freely inform our citizens of the necessary and careful analyses, free of exaggerations.”