What massive gatherings for Soleimani’s death can tell us about Iranian society

Less than two months ago, the Islamic Republic of Iran shut down the internet for a few days to cover up the harsh repression of some recurring popular protests. Also less than two months ago, large gatherings on the streets were somehow feared by the ruling elite, especially when they addressed political changes beyond economic reforms. No one could imagine, nor expect the massive crowd that gathered for the death of General Qasem Soleimani. As the Pasdaran are often linked to the unelected constitutional bodies of the Iranian system, they do not represent the voice of popular quests for reforms and changes, themes advocated instead in the recent and recurring uprisings. The killing of Soleimani, head of the special forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that engage in extraterritorial missions, not only changed the equation in the region and thus inflamed tensions between Tehran and Washington, but also revealed the complexity of the Iranian domestic scene, as well as how little we understand about Iranian society.