US Threatens More Sanctions To Disrupt Iran's 'Malign' Activity

In Iranian society – where there is no freedom of speech, media, or assembly – humor and political jokes are often used as a vital form of resistance, to make sense of hardships and provide momentary relief to forget one’s daily struggles.

Of course, this phenomenon has a history in other totalitarian regimes, like the Soviet Union. During the Soviet period, political jokes served as a form of social protest, mocking and criticizing leaders, the system, its ideology, myths, and routines.

Iranian political satire dates back to the Constitutional Movement era. The critical works of Ali Akbar Dehkhoda and Ashrafuddin Gilani, along with critical magazines such as Tolou’-e Mosavvar, Adab, Kashkool, and Azerbaijan, constitute a significant heritage in contemporary Iranian literature. Political satire flourished in the works of writers such as Gholamhossein Saedi, Jalal Ale-Ahmad, Bahram Sadeghi, and Javad Mojabi in the 1960s and 1970s and Towfeeq Magazine in the 1920s to 1960s. Being acquainted with this tradition, Iranians from all walks of life know the effectiveness of this genre and take part in producing sarcasm, parody, and scorn.

Before social media and smartphones, Iranians used to crack political jokes in taxis, barber shops, public baths, and coffee shops to ridicule the Islamist regime’s policies and officials.

Now, with 60 million smartphones in their hands, Iranians are busy entertaining each other online. Immediately after the news of the IRGC missile and drone attacks on Israel, jokes were circulated all over the country: the number of jokes were limitless.

The jokes mocked the Iranian military action so effectively that it prompted the state-owned TV stations to try to retaliate – though their jokes came across as flat and unassuming. The IRGC’s Intelligence Unit and the judiciary also made threats to prosecute anyone who ridiculed and criticized the military establishment.

Here is a sample of these jokes in Persian and English. Iranians began making fun of what happened in the early hours of April 13th, 2024 – with nothing beyond their colorful imaginations.

“By God (or frankly), if they had thrown cucumbers, the casualties would have been higher.”

A sarcastic remark about the ineffectiveness of the IRGC missiles used in the attack – suggesting that even something as harmless as cucumbers could have been more damaging.

“Addressed to the ruling clerics: ‘If you had thrown your diapers, at least Israel would have been busy cleaning up’."

The reference of diapers here, likely a sarcastic reference to the age of many of the Shiite clerics ruling Iran.

"If Iran would have donated free ‘Pride’ cars to Israel instead of these drones and missiles, it would have cost less and caused more damage."

A humorous critique suggesting that Iran’s domestic car brand, Pride, known for its poor quality – would have been more problematic for Israel than the attack. Thereby, making the donation of Pride cars, being both cheaper and more effective in causing a disruption for Israel.

"Erbil, Ilam, and Kermanshah were in the path of these flying water heaters. Why the properties in Shiraz and Mamasani?"

Calling the missiles and drones "flying water heaters", the joke pokes fun at the fact that the Iranian attack hit cities that were not on the flight path – like Shiraz and Mamasani.

"The missiles launched by the Islamic Republic towards Israel enjoyed the journey more. The destination wasn't important."

The joke suggests that the missiles were more concerned with their flight than actually reaching their intended target, emphasizing their ineffectiveness or the lack of impact they had upon arrival.

"The sound of this truck's exhaust you hear is actually the engine of a Revolutionary Guards' drone secretly flying from Iraq towards Israel, and it will arrive there in another seven hours. All this secrecy wasn't necessary, brave one."

The use of the word “brave one” in this joke references the fact that Israel was aware of Iran’s unfolding attack for hours – rendering any supposed “bravery” of the operation futile or even comical.

"They would have arrived sooner if they had taken Snapp."

"Snapp" refers to a popular ride-hailing app in Iran, similar to Uber. The joke suggests that if the Iranian forces had used a commercial ride-sharing service for drones, similar to calling a taxi, their mission wouldn’t have taken so long to execute.

The drones must have stopped somewhere to pray; otherwise, they shouldn't have taken this long."

Iranian society has undergone mass secularization in recent years. The sarcastic remark of stopping for prayer pokes fun at the Islamic Republic’s ideology – often a point of ridicule for many Iranians who don’t align with the regime’s Islamist point of view. Iranian bus companies make scheduled stops for passengers to pray during long trips.

“Now that the drone is stuck in the electric wire, hope its technology will not get in the hands of the enemy.”

Underlining the drone’s ineffectiveness, the remark sarcastically implying the minimal value or sophistication of the technology – should it fall into enemy hands.

“We created a fun Chaharshanbe Suri for them. Special thanks to the Sepah and the Iron Dome for creating this exciting night."

Chaharshanbe Suri is an Iranian festival celebrated on the last Wednesday before the Persian New Year (Norouz), involving fireworks and bonfires, symbolizing the warding off of evil spirits. The sentence sarcastically compares the attacks to the festival's fireworks, likely a reference to the fact that the Iron Dome intercepted 99% of the Iranian missiles/drones.

“The word ‘Pahpad’ is very chic. We should call the drones ‘Pahnemat’ instead.”

The word ‘pahpad’ in Persian means drone. The satirical term, ‘pahnemat’ is a way to suggest that the drones sent by the IRGC are as insignificant or useless as dog excrement.

“We have told everyone that we hit them. You should do the same. It makes no difference.”

The phrase, written in a thuggish tone, humorously suggests that despite the attack's failure, the authorities are insisting on claiming success and encouraging others to affirm this claim, regardless of the truth.

"- Did the missiles not arrive?
- No. They're still stuck in tunnel number 3.

- Or perhaps they've been demolished by the Darreshahr Iron Dome.”

In this case, the Darreshahr Iron Dome is an imaginary defense system – poking fun at the length of time it took for the Iranian attack to be carried out and drawing a parallel to the sophisticated Iron Dome in Israel.

"Addressing the drones: Go with your lights off; they won't hit you."

This joke suggests that turning off the lights on the drones may prevent them from being detected or targeted by Israel’s defense systems – with a sarcastic attitude towards the effectiveness of the drones.

“We are not from Kufa for Bibi to be left alone.”

This joke draws a parallel to a historical event in Islamic history where people from Kufa in Iraq, betrayed Ali (the first Shia Imam) resulting in his martyrdom. Typically, regime supporters use the phrase suggesting that they will not leave Ali alone. In this context, “Bibi” is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – and it's a sarcastic way of showing support for Israel – instead of the Iranian regime.

The threat by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi follows the launch of over 300 missiles and drones by Iran towards Israeli territory, Iran’s first open assault against its main enemy state.

The bombardment was in retaliation for an Israeli air strike on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 1, killing two senior Quds Force commanders and other IRGC personnel.

Raisi made the statement during a phone call with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Monday night.

"We firmly declare that the slightest action against Iran's interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response."

Adding to the tensions, Israeli Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi vowed retaliation during a statement to troops at the Nevatim air base, one of the sites hit in the Saturday attack.

Further complicating matters, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani warned that Iran would react instantly to any Israeli counterstrikes.

“The retaliation would come in a matter of seconds, as Iran will not wait for another 12 days to respond," he told state TV.

The situation has also aroused international concern. US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen stated that Iran threatened stability in the Middle East and could cause economic spillovers.

She said the US would use sanctions and work with allies, to keep disrupting Iran’s "malign and destabilizing activity."

In a phone call Monday, Wang condemned the alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate compound on April 1, supporting Iran's right to self-defense, calling it a violation of international law, according to the Xinhua state news agency.

On Saturday night, Iran launched over 350 drones and missiles towards Israel, 99 percent of which were intercepted by Israel and its allies including Jordan, the US, and the UK.

Wang also said China appreciated Iran's decision on not targeting regional and neighboring countries. He added that “China has noted Iran's statement that its action was limited and was an act of self-defense.”

Iran had handled "the situation well and spared the region further turmoil while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity”, Wang said.

He blamed the escalations on the ongoing Gaza war, triggered by the Iran-backed Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, in which 1,200 mostly civilians were murdered and 250 or more taken hostage.

Urging the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728, China continues to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, citing the humanitarian disaster as grounds for intervention. Hamas claims over 32,000 people have died in the last six months.

However, with over 130 hostages still in Gaza, Israel has so far refused ceasefire demands, its war aims to rescue the hostages and to destroy the capabilities of Hamas.

It is the latest show of support from China which has recently carried out military exercises with Iran and remains Iran's biggest oil customer defying US sanctions on the export of Iranian oil. With huge construction projects from Chinese companies underway in Iran in addition to trade links, Iran is at the behest of Beijing which remains a key partner amid sanctions.

However, as the Middle East's allegiances shift, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Saudi Arabia was among the countries providing key intelligence about Iran’s plans to attack Israel, crucial to the success of the air defense measures that almost entirely prevented the attack.

Mohsen Sazegara, a US-based journalist and political activist, told Iran International that this is the first time Arab nations have supported Israel in a military operation against another Islamic country.

Several Iranian news outlets reported that Iran's air defense was on high alert, suggesting potential flight restrictions due to Saturday night's Iranian bombardment of Israel with over 350 drones and missiles. However, authorities claim that all air routes across the country remain open.

On Monday evening, Israel's Military Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, confirmed that Israel would retaliate, though specifics of the response remain undisclosed. "This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response," Halevi said during a briefing at the Nevatim air base which had minor damage following the strike.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been actively consulting with his war cabinet, having convened meetings twice in less than 24 hours to discuss potential responses to Iran’s recent attack in which 99 percent of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies.

It was the first direct strike from Iranian soil to the Jewish state, bringing its shadow war into the forefront of the region's geopolitics. Two air bases were among the targets and one seven-year-old Bedouin girl remains in a critical condition from shrapnel injuries.

Iran launched the assault as a response to what it claims was an Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus on April 1, emphasizing its intention to avoid further escalation.

The ongoing developments have stirred concerns among Iranians, many of whom are already grappling with economic challenges and increased socio-political restrictions following the protests which began in 2022.

Several Israeli officials have stated that Iran’s larger-than-expected attack would not be left unanswered, even though 99% of all Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted by Israeli defense systems and allied air forces.

“Iran will face the consequences for its actions,” Israel Army Chief of Staff Gen. Halevi said in a video statement. “We will choose our response accordingly."

At the same time, pressure from Europe and some Arab counties might force Israel to adopt a retaliatory strategy the would be less likely to lead to a major escalation.

This was the clearest indication of Israeli intentions after the war cabinet, headed by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, met twice in less than 24 hours to weigh their options. No details were offered officially, but Israel’s Channel N12 News claimed that the response would likely be one that hits the Iranian regime in a way that doesn’t trigger an even bigger response.

Anticipating the attack, Iran went on the propaganda offensive.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani said any Israeli attack would be responded to in “less than a few seconds". A member of Iran’s Islamic Parliament (Majles) went further. "We are prepared to use a weapon that we have never used," said Abolfazl Amouei, the spokesman for the Majles’ National Security Committee, urging Israel to "act wisely".

Experts and unnamed Israeli officials have suggested several ‘possible’ courses of action: large-scale cyber-attack, hitting Iranian proxies, or covert operation inside Iran. This would not surprise many, since several Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed inside Iran in the past, and there have been mysterious explosions in nuclear facilities and other strategic locations.

Israel never took responsibility for these incidents and never denied it either. Now also, Israel could attack important targets and keep silent, not putting the Iranians in a situation to be forced to respond.

Whatever the Israeli response, it will likely be consulted with the Americans, according to media reports in Israel. The Biden administration has said it will not take part or assist in the Israeli operation, downplaying the significance of the Iranian attack and highlighting Israel’s success in thwarting the offensive almost entirely.

"What we showed on Saturday night was that Iran is not militarily superior, is not 10 feet tall, and that Israel is not alone," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told NBC News Monday, when asked if he agrees that Iran would be emboldened without a response.

The administration’s stance has angered Biden’s more hawkish critics, who have accused him of ‘appeasing’ Iran and ‘abandoning’ Israel.

“Sadly, Iran isn't worried about the United States,” former national security advisor John Bolton told Newsmax. “They don't see Biden as having the spine to cross Iran's red line of not attacking Israel directly.”

Officials in Iran maintain that Israel’s attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus crossed a red line and had to be responded to restore deterrence. The Israeli response would test this idea –and potentially trigger a cycle of retaliatory attacks that could spiral into a full-scale war.

“We’re on the edge of the cliff and we have to move away from it,” EU foreign affairs High Representative Josep Borrell said in a radio interview. “We have to step on the brakes and reverse gear.”