Confidential Iran report finds only 9% of Iranians back the regime

Key Points:

• A confidential report for Iran’s presidency reveals that only 9% of Iranians support maintaining the status quo, while nearly 73% favor either fundamental reforms or changing the political system entirely, indicating widespread public anger and desire for systemic change.
• The report, based on a May 2026 poll, also highlights severe economic distress, with over 81% struggling to obtain enough food and 75% facing difficulties covering medical costs, and many Iranians blaming domestic governance more than foreign sanctions.
• Institutional distrust is high, with around 60% of respondents distrusting major government bodies and 61.2% doubting officials’ ability to solve Iran’s problems, yet the report’s recommendations focus mainly on managing public perception rather than addressing core systemic issues.
• Experts caution that polling under authoritarian regimes may understate true dissent due to fear of expressing opposition, and while the regime has strong mechanisms to suppress dissent, continued unrest and protests are deemed inevitable.
• The findings raise questions for Washington and allies about whether Iran’s regime is more vulnerable to change than previously thought, though the regime’s capacity for repression remains a significant barrier to organized opposition.