War, bloodshed, and legitimacy: Is Iran witnessing another internal coup?

From the 1980s to today, moments of war and uncertainty have triggered internal consolidation in Iran

Originally published on Global Voices

Ali Khamenei was among the fighters of the Ashura Division from Iranian Azerbaijan during the Muharram (Iran–Iraq War). Source: Donya-e-Eqtesad

In the aftermath of recent mass killings in Iran, the atmosphere inside the country shifted palpably. This time it was not only about political outrage or routine repression. There was shock. There was grief.