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  • The war has “softened the divisions we had, both among each other and with the general public,” Mr. Abtahi said.

    Israel’s attacks have set off a resurgence of nationalism among many Iranians, inside and outside the country, including many critical of the government. That sense of common cause has emerged in a torrent of social media posts and statements by prominent human rights and political activists, physicians, national athletes, artists and celebrities. “Like family, we may not always agree but Iran’s soil is our red line,” wrote Saeid Ezzatollahi, a player with Iran’s national soccer squad, Team Melli, on social media.

    Hotels, guesthouses and wedding halls have opened their doors free of charge to shelter displaced people fleeing Tehran, according to Iranian news media and videos on social media. Psychologists are offering free virtual therapy sessions in posts on their social media pages. Supermarkets are giving discounts, and at bakeries, customers are limiting their own purchases of fresh bread to one loaf so that everyone standing in line can have bread, according to videos shared on social media. Volunteers are offering services, like running errands to checking on disabled and older residents.

    “We are seeing a beautiful unity among our people,” said Reza, 42, a businessman, in a telephone interview near the Caspian Sea, where he is taking shelter with his family. Using only one name to avoid scrutiny by the government, he added: “It’s hard to explain the mood. We are scared, but we are also giving each other solidarity, love and kindness. We are in it together. This is an attack on our country, on Iran.”

    Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and the country’s most prominent human rights activist, has spent decades in and out jail, pushing for democratic change in Iran. But even she warned against the attacks on her country, telling the BBC this past week that “Democracy cannot come through violence and war.”

    Turning off the internet seems to be what is required to bring back human empathy, as evident. Without widespread disinformation and propaganda, the people of Iran are unifying around a common cause, helping each other. Meanwhile, every counterattack on Israel seems to be further erroding Netenyahu's favorability. Israel's government may have overplayed their hand by bringing death and destruction to the civilian population that otherwise didn't seem to feel the full weight of the government's genocide in Gaza.

    Why they would choose now to punch an enemy with the means to punch back, is baffling!

    • Ive seen people in Iran saying the opposite. Probably the reason ive heard it is because its amplified by pro western media but still.

      These irainian people are saying that they're optimistic about the future and they are confident that Iranians will be able to adapt to the changing circumstances and the freedom from of the current government.

      It doesnt seem like people are rallying to the side of the already unpopular Iranian government.

      • We have seen how a post western regime change country in the region would look like with Iraq and Afghanistan.

        Short version: it does not end well

        Iran is one of the most ressource rich countries in the world with control over the most important sea for global oil and gas transport.

        There is no way that a forced regime change from the outside wouldn't lead to decades of proxy wars for the resources.

        Also Israel has shown its regime change vision for Syria. Break up the country and pit peoe against each other so that a contender to regional hegemony can never emerge again.

      • Don't get me wrong, like the US, I don't want to lump the civilian populations trying to survive with the govt. I think the article is trying to highlight, and to my point, that without stability from their leaders, they are seeing the humanity return in the vacuum of a stable and supportive govt. I agree that media here and abroad like to show their bias and seem to have a objective. It just feels like a lot of the internet and social media is aimed at division and dehumanization. In the absence of this global networked interconnectedness, the Iranian people are finding a joint purpose and reconnecting with their neighbors. They are doing what humans are known for doing across time, freely opening their homes and showing the kindness and unification needed when faced with an existential threat.

        I don't think we'd see something like that here while the internet and rage propaganda still runs!

  • LOL.... Get that guy instead! Strategy.

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