Israel’s attacks are rallying support for Iran's government and bolstering hardliners, experts say

 begin partial quote from:https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-attacks-06-17-25-intl-hnk

Israel’s attacks are rallying support for Iran's government and bolstering hardliners, experts say

From CNN’s Chris Lau

 

People take part in a protest in support of Iran and Palestinians, at Times Square in New York City on June 16, 2025.

Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Israel’s attacks are working to rally support for the Iranian government – including those who have been critical of the regime – as well as bolstering regime hardliners, experts told CNN.

“What we are seeing from the public, even including those who have been critical of the government and establishment, is calling for a strike or response against Israel,” said Abas Aslani, a journalist and researcher in Tehran.

“They have been supporting what Iranian armed forces have been doing in reaction against Israeli aggression,” he told CNN’s John Vause.

HA Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow at Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, said the attacks are strengthening those in Iran who take a more hawkish stance.

“When you have this turn of events where, in the middle of negotiations, the United States did not hold back its closest ally in the region from embarking on a war,” he said. “I think it’s very difficult to see how it wouldn’t be that the hardliners in Iran would be immensely strengthened.”