The hope for a "soft landing" in Iran has evaporated. President Masoud Pezeshkian, elected on a ticket of reform and dialogue, has pivoted to the hardline. In a televised address that dashed the hopes of moderates, he labeled the nationwide protesters as "rioters" intent on destroying society, signaling a unified state crackdown.

Pezeshkian’s shift is significant. Initially, he had called for restraint and acknowledged the economic grievances driving the unrest. But as chants of "Death to the Dictator" grew louder, the deep state—the IRGC and the Supreme Leader—appears to have forced his hand.

"Enemies of God"

The rhetoric has turned medieval. Iran’s Attorney General declared that anyone caught protesting would be charged as Moharebeh ("Enemy of God"), a crime punishable by death. This legal categorization allows for summary executions and denies detainees access to lawyers.

• The Economic Trigger: The protests began over the price of bread and the collapse of the currency. "People have concerns," Pezeshkian admitted. "But the higher duty is security." This "security first" argument is the classic justification for authoritarian repression.
• The Foreign Hand Narrative: Like Khamenei, Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the chaos. This narrative aims to rally the regime's loyalist base, the Basij, by framing the conflict as a defense of the nation against foreign invasion.
• The Reality: Videos leaking through the internet blackout show a leaderless, grassroots explosion of rage. From university students to bazaar merchants, the coalition against the theocracy is broader than ever before.

By siding with the hardliners, Pezeshkian has burned his bridges with the public. The regime has closed ranks, deciding that its survival depends on the iron fist, not the open hand.