(1)
Undoubtedly, this is the boldest collective action by the Iranian leadership since the war began.
After all, just on March 13, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khameneh had "been injured, likely with facial damage," and "the condition of the Iranian leadership is no better — they are desperate and hiding, trembling like mice."
Is that really the case?
The scene on the streets of Tehran that day should have shocked the Americans and directly refuted Austin.
Almost all of Iran's top leadership, except for the Supreme Leader Mojtaba, appeared on the streets of Tehran to participate in a grand demonstration in support of Palestine.
In such a state of war, against the backdrop of open threats from the U.S. and Israel to assassinate them, their collective appearance on the streets was rare and required great courage.
Appearing in public under the threat of artillery fire itself sends a certain signal.
From the photos and videos, we can see Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Chairman of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other senior Iranian officials.
The four small details that left the deepest impression.
The first one, President Ebrahim Raisi.
It was drizzling that day, and President Raisi walked through the streets in the rain without any bodyguards nearby, or the bodyguards were far away, shaking hands with every person who passed by. Many Iranians recognized the president and took out their phones to take photos and selfies with him, and he did not refuse…
Finally, he got on an Iranian motorcycle and waved goodbye before leaving.
The second one, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian.
The most relaxed in demeanor was definitely Iran's Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian. He stood alone on the street, smiling while being interviewed by journalists, with crowds of Iranian demonstrators passing by.
He told reporters: "Today is Iran's Quds Day (Jerusalem Day). Despite the brutal attacks by the Zionist regime (i.e., Israel) and the United States, millions of Iranians took to the streets of Tehran and other cities, demonstrating their firm will and determination. The enemy will be forced to acknowledge the strength of the Iranian people."
Please note, he was smiling throughout. In the face of smoke and threats, a smile can sometimes be the sharpest weapon.
The third one, hardliner Ali Larijani.
Compared to Amirabdollahian's smile, Iran's Supreme National Security Council Chairman Ali Larijani maintained his usual serious expression.
When interviewed by journalists, he spoke confidently: "Trump doesn't understand that the Iranian people are mature, strong, and determined. The more pressure the United States exerts, the stronger the will of the Iranian people becomes. Israel's attack on the demonstration shows its desperation…"
Are they really not in danger?
It's impossible not to be in danger.
Not to mention that the CIA and Mossad have many undercover agents in Iran; otherwise, why would the Iranian Supreme Leader and other leaders be targeted by missiles on the first day of the war? Moreover, the U.S. and Israel closely monitor Tehran, and on that day, Iran claimed that Israel launched an air strike near the demonstration area, killing at least one Iranian woman.
Since journalists intercepted Larijani and Amirabdollahian during the demonstration, it's certain that CIA and Mossad spies also know their presence.
So, the fourth detail, an Iranian official whose name I don't know.
Suddenly, there was an explosion in the footage, causing some commotion among the crowd. But this leader, facing the camera, remained calm and said firmly: "We stand with the people against arrogant and pharaonic oppressors. Our people do not fear bombing... The Iranian people will never yield to cowardly attacks."
Even if it's a show, this is indeed an extraordinary performance.
History has repeatedly proven that when a belief must be lived with one's life, it is no longer mere performance but something called "dignity."
(2)
Knowing it's very dangerous, why did the Iranian leadership go out on the streets collectively?
This is also the largest gathering by the Iranian leadership since the war began.
The reasons are probably threefold.
First, to pay homage to the new Supreme Leader.
On the previous day, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba emphasized in a statement that at this difficult and crisis-ridden time, all layers of Iranian society must unite. He called on the Iranian people to actively participate in the upcoming "Jerusalem Day" activities, "to strike the enemy's spirit."
The Iranian leadership's collective appearance on the streets is undoubtedly an act of their own to uphold the authority of the new Supreme Leader.
If the Supreme Leader cannot come out temporarily, then others should all step forward and be with the people. As Western media put it, this is "a rather rare appearance."
Second, to demonstrate the unity of the Iranian people.
Before the war, the unity of the Iranian people was indeed a big issue.
After all, so many traitors, Iran could be said to have been infiltrated by the CIA and Mossad like a sieve. Where is the problem?
Also, an internal riot, thousands of people were suppressed, regardless of the reason, the stability within Iran is worrying!
But the attacks by the U.S. and Israel, especially the brutal bombardment of Iranian civilians and infrastructure, made the Iranian people wake up: this is not to "help" the Iranian people, but to destroy the country of Iran.
You can't say that all the 170 schoolgirls killed in Iran are enemies of the U.S. and Israel, can you?
External pressure can sometimes break down divisions and forge unexpected unity.
At this moment, the leadership going out on the streets with the people to protest fully demonstrates the current unity and common hatred of the Iranian people. In a way, it is the war actions of the U.S. and Israel that helped Iran achieve domestic reconciliation.
Third, to demonstrate Iran's refusal to surrender.
Bombing can destroy buildings, but whether it can destroy a nation's resistance will, history has never given a simple answer.
Therefore, although it was raining that day and the bombings continued, many Iranians still took to the streets. Some protesters held pictures of the late Supreme Leader Khameneh, some chanted "Death to America" slogans, burned Israeli flags, some waved Iranian flags, and some carried banners calling for the death of Trump and Netanyahu.
More ironically, later that day, the U.S. released a reward notice, offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stating that those who provide intelligence on Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba, Larijani, and others could receive up to $10 million.
They didn't leave. They were still in Tehran.
As a result, I saw some people openly mocking on overseas social media: "The U.S. offers a reward of $10 million to find out where Larijani and others are, but today many people saw them participating in the demonstration in Tehran. Can this $10 million still be paid?"
(3)
The war is still ongoing. It's still your attack and my attack.
Iran continues to suffer intense airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel, but the U.S. and Israel are also paying new costs continuously.
Tel Aviv and other areas continue to be attacked by Iranian heavy missiles. On the 13th, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force stated that 30 heavy ballistic missiles weighing one to two tons were launched at specific targets in Israel that day. The operation "destroyed and destroyed important aerospace monitoring systems in Israel — this is the most intense attack against Israel so far..."
An American aerial refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq, killing all six crew members. Since the start of the war, the U.S. has admitted to having double-digit casualties. Of course, Iran has announced more.
Once the war machine starts, the cost is often shared by both sides.
Interestingly, the U.S. specifically clarified that this crash was neither shot down by an enemy missile nor mistakenly shot down by friendly forces. The cause is still under investigation.
But Iran's answer is simple: it was the Iraqi Shia militia, using Iranian missiles to shoot down this aerial refueling aircraft.
New information: the U.S. is deploying a Marine expeditionary force to the Middle East, a rapid response force consisting of 2,500 Marines.
Analysis by U.S. media: it is still unclear how this unit will be used or deployed, "but traditionally, this unit is used for large-scale evacuations and amphibious operations," which means that the U.S. military may launch small-scale ground attacks in specific locations.
This means that the war will enter a new phase. Trump certainly hopes to end the war as soon as possible, but it cannot be ruled out that the U.S. military may gradually become mired deeper in Iran's quagmire.
The logic of war often goes against the intentions of politicians. Once involved, it is often harder to withdraw than to enter.
Now, what should be the biggest headache for Trump is not Iran's missiles and drones, nor the so-called Iranian nuclear program, but the passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
After Iran's retaliatory blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, international oil prices surged. Even though Western countries released unprecedented reserves, international oil prices recently crossed the $100 mark.
In the U.S., oil prices have special political significance. Unless Trump truly doesn't want to win the midterm elections.
It is amusing that CNN revealed that the U.S. leadership severely underestimated Iran's resolve, never expecting Iran to actually block the Strait of Hormuz. Underestimating the opponent's resolve is often the beginning of strategic miscalculation.
So now, the U.S. war objective has finally become simple and clear: to open the Strait of Hormuz.
But from the performance of the Iranian leadership and the resilience and determination of Iran, can a mere 2,500 U.S. Marines succeed? If not, will the U.S. send more troops? How much loss can the U.S. afford?
On the battlefield, life and death confrontations occur, and in the public opinion arena, they fight and clash.
The Iranians are becoming bolder with each battle.
I saw that after participating in the Tehran demonstration, Larijani mocked Austin, saying: "Mr. Austin, our leaders are... among the people. But where are your leaders? They're on Epstein's island!"
Original: toutiao.com/article/7616891938410627636/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author."