Raising The Iranian Flag

"There are different interpretations of Islam, but our understanding of the real nature of Iran and of Islam is the Iranian school. From now on, we must present to the world the school of Iran."
"without Iran, Islam would be lost. If we want to present the truth of Islam to the world, we should raise the Iranian flag,"
Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, former chief of staff to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iranians gathered to celebrate at the tomb of King Cyrus the Great in Shiraz’s Pasargadae  Middle East Eye

"There are many here like me, who don't care for the Islamic Republic and its rules. But today is about something bigger than that, one of us has been killed."
"At the same time, this American president is breaking our hearts with his rhetoric and threats. We have to choose sides. I choose for my country."
Morteza Hosseinzadeh, 33, theater studies graduate, reformist, Tehran University

"Trump is proving that our hard-liners were right all these years, to say that America cannot be trusted."
"[Iran's leaders though irresponsible in foreign policy have] become the logical party. Of course, I love them more."
Arvand Dashtaray, liberal theater director, Tehran

When people, however much they dislike their governments, feel their nation is being criticized, ostracized, abandoned by governments of other nations whom they normally prefer over their own, the human reaction is to gather together as a family in the self-defense of solidarity. Iranians were warned time and again by their Ayatollahs that the West was not to be trusted, it aspired to destroy Iran. Iranians saw no reason that the West should suspect their nation of plotting violence with its preoccupation with ballistic missiles and nuclear arms.

Many among them may dislike their repressive government leaders and the militarization of their country, preferring to be instead like the liberal democracies they admired. They've forgotten the harsh crackdown at the time of the re-election of Ahmadinejad for his second turn at the presidency when their 'green revolution' was violently put down, their leaders arrested, their reform protest stifled. Feed a population a steady diet of propaganda and eventually it will permeate and stick.

Seeking to capitalize on a wave of nationalist fervor, the Iranian government is bringing out missiles and other weapons, like these antiaircraft guns, where families can pose for photos.  Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times

Appeals to national pride, to religious faith, to celebrate the glorious heritage and history of ancient Persia augmented with the constant iterations of the danger posed by the hostility of the outside world -- from their Arab Sunni neighbours to the Western 'imperialists' all harbouring ill-will and a desire to destroy the Islamic Republic of Iran or at the very least deny it its equal due to all other nations' aspirations to enter the 21st Century and thrive, have had their impact.

The sanctions imposed upon Iran before the 'success' of the Security Council plus Germany and the EU negotiating on its nuclear program caused financial setbacks to the national economy, felt by its population through a shortage of goods and medical supplies and food had their impact. With the signing of the agreement and the lifting of sanctions came economic relief -- in lock step with the Republic's increased support for its jihadist Shiite militias like Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran has succeeded in achieving its inspirational Shiite crescent, from Yemen to Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. It has aided the Syrian regime in slaughtering its rebellious Syrian Sunnis thanks to the al-Quds division of the Republican Revolutionary Guard Corps. Among its many military personnel stationed in Syria was a 26-year-old man, Mohsen Hojaji, who lost his life as he dutifully fought in the war zones of Syria and Iraq. He was abducted by Islamic State in August, videotaped being beheaded and became an instant war hero to inspire Iranian nationalism.

Women mourning at the funeral for Mohsen Hojaji, Iran’s national hero of the Syrian war, in Imam Hossein Square in Tehran. Credit Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times

An enormous billboard showing the young man in the Revolutionary Guards Corps uniform appeals to Iranians to be as loyal to the Republic as he was. His violent death, unlike that of many other Iranian soldiers, has been an inspiration to Iranians to forge a new bond with their country and with their government. Both of which are now seen as being under pressure by the United States with President Trump vowing to tear up the nuclear agreement. Fears of Saudi Arabia with its newly accessed American weapons and the appearing belligerence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has fueled a sense of isolation and danger.

Iranians are proud of their military part in routing the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and the growing influence of Iran in the region from the perspective of citizens of the Republic. When the state orchestrated a commemoration ceremony to honour the martyrdom of the beheaded young Iranian soldier it was not only the traditional supporters of the Ayatollahs who came out to pay their respects, but Iranians who consider themselves reformers, now seeing their country in need of their support. This is the new nationalism.

One where new, technologically advanced weaponry has been put on public display in city centres with the invitation for families and children to come and admire, and pose for photographs with them. An annual pilgrimage to have great groups of Iranians march into neighbouring Iraq, symbolic of national and religious strength, has been promoted by state-run television. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has extended his favour toward admiration of the song "Iran, if They Break Your Heart", to emphasize his oneness with the people.

Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times   A billboard in a central Tehran square showing Mohsen Hojaji, an obscure 26-year-old who was killed fighting in Syria and is now being promoted as a national hero.