Iran’s nightly pro-government rallies reveal both unity and deep divisions

Amid the ongoing conflict between an alliance of the United States and Israel and Iran that began in late February, nearly nightly pro-government rallies held across major Iranian cities have exposed deep rifts within Iranian society, bridging old political divides for some while fueling frustration and internal factional tension for others. These public demonstrations, which launched in mid-March, draw crowds to central squares of major urban centers, where participants wave Iranian national flags, chant anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, and occupy public streets for hours on end. The gatherings have persisted through a national internet blackout, continuing even after partial restrictions on connectivity were lifted, and have drawn a diverse cross-section of attendees with competing motivations for participating.