Tehran's Desperate Bid for National Unity Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets of Tehran last week to pledge their readiness to take up arms against perceived enemies.
The massive turnout was meant to demonstrate national unity in the face of a US naval blockade and fresh sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.
The Iranian government is seeking to project strength on multiple fronts: showcasing military might, disrupting global oil and gas exports, and reinforcing its grip on power by suppressing potential future internal dissent.