el debates about changing approaches expand, deep strategic reforms—especially in areas such as the nuclear program, relations with the United States and Israel, and regional policy—are not feasible under current conditions.
From this Israeli analytical perspective, the Islamic Republic of Iran is in a state of “suspended transition”: on the one hand, external pressures and the consequences of war have underscored the need for reconsideration; on the other, ideological and structural constraints—particularly the central role of political leadership—have prevented the realization of fundamental changes in overarching strategies. Accordingly, the report concludes that as long as the current leadership structure remains in place, no major shifts in the Islamic Republic’s core policies should be expected.
From this Israeli analytical perspective, the Islamic Republic of Iran is in a state of “suspended transition”: on the one hand, external pressures and the consequences of war have underscored the need for reconsideration; on the other, ideological and structural constraints—particularly the central role of political leadership—have prevented the realization of fundamental changes in overarching strategies. Accordingly, the report concludes that as long as the current leadership structure remains in place, no major shifts in the Islamic Republic’s core policies should be expected.
Linking Political Disputes to Economic and Social Crises in Hostile Narratives
This analytical line is not confined to the INSS report and has been echoed in recent months by a significant portion of Western and hostile media. These narratives rest on several central components that collectively aim to convey the proposition that “Iran’s political system is facing internal divergence and is on the verge of redefining the balance of power.”
Within this framework, political and factional disputes are systematically linked to indicators of economic crisis and signs of erosion in social trust. Verbal disagreements and political rivalries are portrayed not as tactical intra-systemic actions, but as direct reflections of economic and managerial inefficiency.
In these narratives, examples such as rising exchange rates and gold prices, speculation about the impeachment of ministers or potential changes in the cabinet, and even the president’s remarks about referring issues to experts are framed under the label of “signs of economic management collapse.” Policies such as energy price reforms are likewise highlighted as “potential triggers of social protests,” thereby implying a connection between economic dissatisfaction and political disobedience.
Although this constructed image may not appear significant to some observers, from a visual and media-analysis perspective it merits interpretation. In the image, a woman wearing a chador holds Iran’s half-raised flag, while a man in casual attire (shorts) carries Israel’s fully raised flag.
Within this framework, political and factional disputes are systematically linked to indicators of economic crisis and signs of erosion in social trust. Verbal disagreements and political rivalries are portrayed not as tactical intra-systemic actions, but as direct reflections of economic and managerial inefficiency.
In these narratives, examples such as rising exchange rates and gold prices, speculation about the impeachment of ministers or potential changes in the cabinet, and even the president’s remarks about referring issues to experts are framed under the label of “signs of economic management collapse.” Policies such as energy price reforms are likewise highlighted as “potential triggers of social protests,” thereby implying a connection between economic dissatisfaction and political disobedience.
Although this constructed image may not appear significant to some observers, from a visual and media-analysis perspective it merits interpretation. In the image, a woman wearing a chador holds Iran’s half-raised flag, while a man in casual attire (shorts) carries Israel’s fully raised flag. Beyond creating a symbolic contrast between the two sides, this visual choice conveys several implicit messages:
1-Identity and cultural symbolism: Iranian women’s dress as a marker of national and religious identity, contrasted with the Israeli male figure in casual clothing, may suggest an analytical framing of the two societies.
2-Depiction of power relations and confrontational outlook: Iran’s half-raised flag, compared with Israel’s fully raised one, may subconsciously convey a sense of “relative weakness or fragility” vis-à-vis the opposing power.
3-Media visual language: The choice of gender and attire of the flag bearers is a common tool in news and analytical graphics to highlight political and social messages and to convey strategic and confrontational concepts without lengthy text.
In fact, even the image’s outward details—the type of clothing, the gender of the flag bearer, and the degree to which the flag is raised—can play a role in shaping media narratives and influencing the audience through cognitive-strategic impact.
1-Identity and cultural symbolism: Iranian women’s dress as a marker of national and religious identity, contrasted with the Israeli male figure in casual clothing, may suggest an analytical framing of the two societies.
2-Depiction of power relations and confrontational outlook: Iran’s half-raised flag, compared with Israel’s fully raised one, may subconsciously convey a sense of “relative weakness or fragility” vis-à-vis the opposing power.
3-Media visual language: The choice of gender and attire of the flag bearers is a common tool in news and analytical graphics to highlight political and social messages and to convey strategic and confrontational concepts without lengthy text.
In fact, even the image’s outward details—the type of clothing, the gender of the flag bearer, and the degree to which the flag is raised—can play a role in shaping media narratives and influencing the audience through cognitive-strategic impact.
Strategic Summary
The overall assessment of media and analytical reviews indicates that the narrative construction employed by external and hostile currents regarding Iran’s political developments is based on repetitive, targeted frames aligned with a strategy aimed at undermining the legitimacy of governance. In this pattern, three variables are highlighted simultaneously and in an interconnected manner:
1_ The effectiveness of external pressure in the form of economic sanctions, financial restrictions, and diplomatic isolation;
1_ The effectiveness of external pressure in the form of economic sanctions, financial restrictions, and diplomatic isolation;
2_ Domestic economic crisis manifested through chronic inflation, rising living costs, and erosion of social capital;
3_ Internal power competition among factions and institutions, portrayed as evidence of the fragility of the power structure.
