Iran marks 200 nights of pro-regime rallies amid war

State-affiliated media in Iran reported that nightly rallies supporting the regime have reached their 200th consecutive night. The gatherings, which began on September 15, have been held in major squares across various cities, including Revolution Square in Tehran. Regime officials, including Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi, described the presence as a factor in boosting the morale of military forces and instilling fear in the enemy. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, characterized the public presence as a defense of the country's independence. The rallies have featured anti-American and anti-Israeli chants, displays of military equipment, and the promotion of government-led campaigns such as 'Sacrifice of Life.' Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, noted that while the regime faces severe economic crises and widespread discontent, its core base of support should not be dismissed. He suggested that these rallies are organized to project an image of strength abroad and to discourage domestic opposition from taking to the streets.