A quick look at Iran’s latest socio-economic data shows that the leaders in the Iranian regime, from the supreme leader Ali Khamenei to its president Ebrahim Raisi and its parliament speaker Mohamad Bagher Ghalibaf, are all trapped in a minefield of accelerating crises.

In such a volatile situation, they all know that their first mistake from this point onward will be their last one. Their recent speeches heavily expose their desperation and frustration. In November 2019, they witnessed a glimpse of the people’s fury and in a bid to keep control of the situation, they took the lives of 1,500 civilians. Therefore, with mounting protests taking place more than ever, the regime has made the decision to shut down the internet in order to prevent the expansion of unrest to other regions of the country.

After the recent protests in Masjed Soleiman, regime officials understand that they cannot play with people’s livelihoods, and continue to raise the prices of everyday goods, as the patience of the people has now reached its threshold. As a result, officials are constantly warning each other about the critical situation.

Here are some examples of these warnings:

Cleric Mohammad Ali Arzandeh, Friday prayer leader of Hamadan, said, “Be careful not to let the enemy take advantage of this kind of conflict and talks, and the enemy’s goal is to destroy the holy system of the Islamic Republic, what answer do we want to give to the dear and large families? We should be careful.”

Member of parliament, Abdol Hossein Ruholamini Member, stated, “The government needs a coherent media base to prevent injecting contradiction and anxiety into society.”

Cleric Mostafa Mahami, the Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, similarly warned the government, asking Raisi to tell his subordinates, “They should speak less, and are not forced to say something, while later it will be acted contrary to it. They should speak less and work if they are capable. At least they should not speak and enhance the people’s frustration.”

During the Friday prayer ceremony in Rasht, without any compliments or controversy, Cleric Rasool Falahati acknowledged the existence of a revolt against the regime and desperately asked the furious citizens not to challenge the regime.

He said, “Rebellion against the Islamic system is not accepted by the teachings of the religion of God. In the Islamic system, people must make their demands in such a way that they do not tarnish the Islamic system. In the Islamic system, the people must treat the Islamic government in such a way that the enemy does not seek opportunities. In the Islamic system, the communities that blacken the face of the Islamic system are not accepted by the teachings of the religion of God.”

He added, “In the Islamic system, in some cases, hardships must be endured for the Islamic system so that its flag and grandeur remain in the world. We should not challenge the Islamic system quickly; even corrupt managers should be dealt with in a way that does not lead to blackening the essence of the system and the face of the system.”

The people of Iran have already recognized their true enemy, so preaching will not solve any of the regime’s problems. Whether the leaders of the government speak or remain silent, or warn each other about the critical situation, this time no one will come to their aid. The great wrath of the starving people is simmering and will not cool down.