The theocratic government is repurposing folklore and patriotic anthems as it seeks to channel national outrage into increasing its support at home.

Weeks after his country was battered by waves of Israeli strikes and the US bombed three of its prized nuclear facilities, Iran’s foreign minister came to a gathering of regional diplomats in China this week with a simple ask.

Israel learned from the 2024 attacks. During the 12-day war in June, Israel focused on taking out Iranian missile launchers, and it appears many of them were destroyed in the war.