‘Iranians don’t trust the sky anymore, they don’t trust the ground as before’

Following the military escalation between Iran and Israel, Iranian opposition groups, both domestic and in exile, fear increased political repression. Observers warn that the regime may use the wartime context to tighten security, justify new arrests, and silence dissent. This strategy, seen in past crises, aims to consolidate power by invoking national unity against an external enemy. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24’s Erin Ogunkeye welcomes Azadeh Pourzand, Senior Fellow and Head of the State-Society Relations Research Unit at the Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG).