Behind the 'Propaganda of Revenge' of the Iranian Regime

Since the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have increasingly amplified their rhetoric. Politicians, state-controlled media, and the new supreme leader have openly called for retaliation over Khamenei’s death. According to images published by Iranian media, on 14 July, during the first face-to-face session of the Iranian parliament since the war began, members of parliament waved a red flag inscribed with calls for revenge. More than 180 of the total 290 MPs supported the demand for retaliation. Calls for revenge did not only come from parliament. Pro-government media have also vigorously echoed this narrative. On Saturday (11/07), the conservative newspaper Hamshahri published a list it called ‘hunted individuals’ under the headline ‘Inevitable Retaliation.’ The list included 13 Western politicians and military officials, including foreign ministers, defence ministers, the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Is this psychological warfare? ‘These threats cannot simply be dismissed as political rhetoric,’ legal expert and human rights researcher Moein Khazaeli told DW. ‘However, at the same time, it is important to distinguish between capability, intent, and the real possibility of carrying out such threats,’ he continued. According to Khazaeli, the Iranian government has several objectives behind the rhetoric. Most of the threats can be viewed as a form of psychological warfare as well as a deterrence strategy. Through this approach, the regime seeks to portray its weakened military and security apparatus as still strong and ready to operate. Khazaeli also assessed that the Iranian government wants to send a signal that it could resort to terrorist methods if international pressure continues. He noted that the threats cannot be ignored given the Islamic Republic of Iran’s track record of conducting operations abroad. The newspaper Hamshahri, owned by the Tehran Municipality, is known to be close to conservative factions. The newspaper is among those within Iran’s power circles that reject negotiations with the United States and maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the most influential military institution in Iran. Iranian political activist Reza Alijani said the mourning ceremonies for Ali Khamenei also served a political purpose. According to him, Iran’s leadership exploited the moment for political gain. He said the event aimed to demonstrate support for the regime, divert attention from military setbacks, and legitimise the continuation of the conflict in the name of revenge. Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reinforced this message after his father’s funeral. Rather than emphasising reconciliation or reconstruction after months of war, he focused on retaliation. A day after the week-long mourning period ended, a statement issued in his name affirmed the continuation of the previous leader’s struggle. ‘We vow to avenge your sacred blood and the blood of all the martyrs in these two wars against the criminal and dishonourable murderers,’ the statement read. Khazaeli said one of the primary targets of these threats is the regime’s own supporters. ‘For years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently responded to military defeats or security failures by escalating threats. The aim is to create the impression that the regime remains determined and capable of exacting revenge,’ he said. ‘For a segment of its support base, this narrative is still believed and continually reinforced through state propaganda.’ However, according to Khazaeli, these messages are also directed at an international audience. Their targets are not only Western governments but also opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran abroad, including Iranian journalists, political activists, human rights advocates, and opposition groups living in exile. The impact of this rhetoric was also evident in the response to the death of US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Iranian state television and several pro-government Telegram channels greeted the news of his death with a tone of satisfaction, with some even offering congratulations. Graham was known as one of the US politicians who for years supported a policy of ‘maximum pressure’ against the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also repeatedly called for military strikes and bombing against Iran.