In a classic move of deflection, Iran’s Minister of Defense has urged the public to ignore mounting threats of war, labeling them merely as an “enemy’s psychological war” designed to disrupt daily life and the economy. These statements shift the responsibility for creating tension and economic instability away from the government’s own policies and onto an undefined external foe, demanding that citizens bear the direct consequences of the regime’s actions.
Background
The remarks were made by General Aziz Nasirzadeh upon his return from a trip to Turkey, a visit aimed at discussing “threats from the Zionist regime” and border security. As public anxiety over a large-scale military conflict and its impact on Iran’s fragile economy reaches a fever pitch, the defense minister is attempting to delegitimize these valid concerns by framing them as part of a foreign plot. He assures the public of the armed forces’ complete readiness and urges people to continue their normal lives.
Analysis
An analysis of this message reveals its primary goal is internal crisis management and controlling public reaction. By labeling public anxiety as “psychological warfare,” the government frames any negative public response (such as panic buying or capital flight) as succumbing to the enemy. This is a powerful tool for suppressing internal dissent and evading accountability. In this narrative, economic troubles and public fear are not the result of domestic mismanagement or an aggressive foreign policy, but of an external psychological attack.
Conclusion
The Iranian Defense Minister’s statements are a propaganda strategy of responsibility displacement. The message effectively tells the Iranian people: “Your fear and economic hardship are not real, but a weapon the enemy is using against us; therefore, any complaint is tantamount to collaboration.” This approach, while attempting to maintain a facade of stability, places the psychological and economic burden of the regime’s policies squarely on the shoulders of its citizens.
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