Iran stages Khamenei photos to mask cracks in IRGC, opposition groups say

Fox News - WorldEN 3 min read 100% complete by Emma BusseyFebruary 2, 2026 at 01:52 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Iranian state media released photographs of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in late January, marking his first public appearance in weeks. Opposition groups, including the National Council of Resistance of Iran, claim the images were staged to project strength and boost the morale of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is reportedly strained after suppressing recent protests. The release coincided with calls from the European Parliament to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, prompting a show of solidarity from Iranian lawmakers. According to Ali Safavi, the IRGC remains the backbone of the regime's power, but the regime is struggling to break the will of the people.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Times of Israel 30% Europe 40% United States ×250% European Parliament 50% National Council of Resistance of Iran 60% Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 60% Ali Safavi ×470% Iran ×480% Ali Khamenei ×590% Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ×690%

Keywords

iranian regime 90% irgc 90% ali khamenei 80% islamic revolutionary guard corps 80% staged images 70% propaganda 70% opposition groups 70% morale 60% political unrest 60% terrorist organization 50%