The Iranian government utilizes a 'resistance economy' framework to frame international sanctions as external warfare. By labeling economic deprivation as a byproduct of foreign aggression rather than systemic mismanagement, the state attempts to redirect public anger away from domestic policymakers and toward Western powers. This narrative seeks to transform shared hardship into a unifying tool for nationalist solidarity.
In practice, the success of this strategy remains deeply inconsistent. Among the most conservative base and certain paramilitary elements, the rhetoric often sticks. For these groups, the perceived threat from the US and its allies justifies the sacrifices required to maintain the Islamic Republic's sovereignty. However, this ideological shield often fails to protect the state from the broader population.
As inflation spikes and the purchasing power of the Rial collapses, the psychological benefits of the resistance narrative tend to evaporate. For the urban middle class and younger demographics, abstract concepts like geopolitical autonomy offer little comfort against the reality of empty grocery shelves or crumbling infrastructure. When people cannot afford basic staples, a narrative of defiance feels increasingly hollow. Consequently, while the rhetoric might delay minor protests, it struggles to quench the structural resentment caused by chronic economic instability.
