Iranian authorities have issued a series of warnings promising the use of force and severe punishments against anyone in the country engaging in actions perceived to harm national security and aid "enemies", as the conflict with the United States and Israel enters its second week. The Ministry of Intelligence stated in a message carried by state media that a number of "American-Zionist mercenaries" have been photographing missile impact points to send footage to "terrorist satellite networks" and online pages based outside Iran.
The ministry described these "soldiers of Israel" as "acting as the fifth column of the Zionist regime and its eyes inside the country", adding that they will be severely punished under a law amended after the 12-day war with the US and Israel in June 2025. It also renewed calls for people to report any suspicious activity through phone calls and local messaging services, as the global internet remains disconnected more than a week after the conflict began.
The internet blackout has restricted Iranians' news sources to state media, which do not cover many developments, including forced evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, instead focusing predominantly on successful Iranian strikes. Consequently, many people are following news through a handful of foreign-based Persian-language channels available via satellite connections at home.
Authorities have been sending jamming signals to restrict these channels since shortly before the war started, because they consider some to be "terrorist" outlets funded by opponents to advocate for regime change in Iran. In mass text messages on Saturday, the police force, whose stations have been bombed by Israel and the US across the country, also claimed that footage of strikes is being sent to "masters" abroad and must be stopped.
Two military commanders suggested that the armed forces have been given authorization to fire live bullets at any offenders to ensure state security. Police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan told state television that his forces have been ordered to shoot down any "thieves" who may potentially pose a threat during war conditions.
Salar Velayatmadar, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and now a parliament member, issued the most explicit warning yet on state television. During a live program, he stated, "Parents, if your son and daughter don't listen to us, it's not our fault," implying severe consequences for those aligning with the enemy.
These threats come after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly directed Iranian citizens to remain vigilant in their homes and wait for instructions to take to the streets to overthrow the theocratic establishment that has been in power since the 1979 Islamic revolution. They have also demanded that Iranian armed forces lay down their weapons, a notion firmly rejected by Iranian authorities.
In response, Iranian authorities have called on supporters of the establishment to remain in the streets and congregate in mosques at all hours, despite the war, to mourn the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, show support for the system, and retain control on the ground. State media occasionally broadcasts such gatherings live, displaying pro-state demonstrators chanting against US and Israeli policies.
The paramilitary Basij forces of the IRGC continue to patrol the streets of Tehran and other cities around the clock, and have set up numerous heavily armed checkpoints, especially around bombed bases. This heightened security follows earlier nationwide protests earlier this year, where thousands of Iranians were killed, with the government blaming "terrorists" and "rioters" armed by the US and Israel, while the UN and human rights groups hold the state responsible for a lethal crackdown.
Messaging from the warring parties on Saturday indicated that attacks will likely continue for the foreseeable future. Iranian armed forces said they would stop attacks on regional neighbors only if their territory is not used to launch strikes, while Trump purportedly demanded "unconditional surrender" as the US and Israel seek to assassinate more leaders.
Source: www.aljazeera.com