A bill signed by 50 members of parliament would place Iran’s Country Security Council, the interior minister-chaired body that coordinates domestic security, under the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The text, published by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency on October 21, would task the council with confronting “cognitive wars” and protecting public opinion.

The bill amends the 1983 law that set out the council’s duties and structure. It still has to pass parliament and be approved by the Guardian Council.

Analysis: securitizing public anger

The Country Security Council and its provincial branches coordinate the state’s response to unrest. Placing it under the SNSC, now led by former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei, would tie domestic policing more tightly to the body that runs war and national security policy. Adding “cognitive war” and public opinion to its remit turns what people think and say into a security file.

It fits a pattern. Parliament has already voted to criminalize interviews with “hostile” media, the judiciary chief has warned officials not to anger the people, and the president has openly linked failing services to the risk of protest.

None of these measures address the causes: a collapsing currency, power and water shortages, wages that no longer cover expenses. Unable to fix the economy, the regime is preparing to manage the anger instead. Failing at governance, it is policing perception.

Photo: Tasnim.