“You cannot act as if it is not wartime when you are at war”

Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei's Warning

Iran's Judiciary Chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, delivered a stark message to the nation's economists, emphasizing the critical need to acknowledge Iran's current state of "existential war." His remarks underscore a pervasive belief within the Iranian leadership that the country is under constant aggression, particularly from the United States and the "savage and criminal Zionist regime." This framing is crucial for understanding the government's policy decisions, as it justifies a wartime mentality across all sectors, including the economy.

Ejei's address highlights the urgency of tackling economic issues not merely as administrative challenges but as integral components of national security. By convening economists, the Judiciary aims to mobilize expert knowledge to fortify the country against external pressures. This approach suggests a top-down strategy to integrate economic planning with defense and resilience, reflecting a broader governmental effort to consolidate resources and public support in what is perceived as a prolonged conflict.

The Zionist Regime

Mohseni-Ejei explicitly identified the "savage and criminal Zionist regime" as an existential threat, asserting that its ambitions extend beyond mere fragmentation to the "total destruction and annihilation of Iran." This strong rhetoric reinforces a long-standing ideological stance within the Islamic Republic, portraying Israel as an inherent danger to humanity and a primary adversary. Such declarations serve to galvanize domestic support against a common enemy and to justify Iran's regional policies and military posture.

The Judiciary chief's statement also reveals the depth of animosity and the perceived zero-sum nature of the conflict. He stated that Iran considers the very existence of this "occupying regime" to be a danger, indicating a fundamental ideological clash that precludes any notion of peaceful coexistence. This perspective shapes Iran's strategic calculations, influencing its alliances, its nuclear program, and its support for various non-state actors in the Middle East, all viewed through the lens of countering this perceived existential threat.

Social Capital

A significant portion of Ejei's speech focused on the imperative of strengthening "social capital" and public trust during this period of perceived warfare. He stressed that the people are the "foundation of the Islamic Establishment," making the preservation and bolstering of public confidence a critical matter. This emphasis suggests an awareness within the leadership of the importance of internal cohesion and popular support, especially when facing external pressures and hybrid warfare tactics.

Ejei noted that the enemy's hybrid warfare aims to infiltrate social, psychological, and economic structures, targeting the "minds and collective will of Iranian people." Therefore, enhancing public resilience and resistance is deemed a "highly significant and strategic matter" and a top governmental priority. This indicates a recognition that national security is not solely a military concern but also deeply intertwined with societal well-being and public morale, requiring comprehensive strategies to counter psychological and economic warfare.