Iran projects strength abroad, often acting like a mafia don running the Middle East, threatening countries to pay for protection or get attacked. But inside the regime’s territory, all is not well.
Last Thursday, someone attempted to hijack a plane that was departing Ahvaz, a southwestern city with a large Arab minority, en route to Mashhad. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stopped the hijacking. They have armed men on many flights in Iran to stop scenarios like this, according to reports.
But the unusual nature of the mysterious hijacking shows that people are willing to use dire means and violence to get their way. Because Iran is an opaque country, it is not clear whether politics, terrorism or something else led to the hijacking.
On the other side of Iran from Ahvaz, in Sistan and Baluchistan Province near Pakistan, there are continuing tensions and clashes. These began after the IRGC opened fire on alleged fuel smugglers, killing at least 10. The unrest in the area has continued for weeks.
It is not entirely clear how that helps stop the smuggling. Explosions have been reported in the area. Government buildings have been targeted by dissidents.
The increase in arrests of Kurds by the IRGC is part of the same pattern in Baluchistan and in Ahvaz. It is not like these three incidents are all just random. In each area, the corps has usurped the powers of the government to conduct most of Iran’s operations.
In each place, it is also clear that unrest is boiling beneath the surface. The face that Iran tries to project beyond its borders, of power and strength, belies a very real series of problems closer to home.
Although it says its indigenous industry can keep up with the challenges, it has invested heavily in weapons, such as ballistic missiles, and neglects some industries at home.