When senior Iranian officials make hostile statements towards the United States or call for action against American leaders, it is easy to assume they are speaking on behalf of every Iranian citizen.

Reality is considerably more complex.

Iran is home to around 90 million people with diverse political opinions, religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds and life experiences. While the country is governed by an Islamic republic under the authority of the Supreme Leader and elected institutions, ordinary Iranians do not necessarily share identical views on foreign policy.

Who Is Making the Threats Against Trump?

Reports of Iranian threats against Donald Trump require careful attribution.

The most serious allegations concern Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, particularly operatives or assets allegedly acting on its behalf. In November 2024, the United States Justice Department charged Iranian national Farhad Shakeri over an alleged IRGC-directed plan to arrange Trump’s assassination. The accusation remains a US government allegation, and Iranian authorities have denied plotting to kill Trump or other American officials.

A separate case involved Asif Merchant, whom a US federal jury convicted in March 2026. The Justice Department said Merchant was a trained IRGC operative who had been sent to the United States to arrange political assassinations, although the intended targets publicly identified in the proceedings were not limited to Trump.

Threatening rhetoric has also appeared at official events and public demonstrations, particularly in connection with demands for revenge over the 2020 US strike that killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. More recent reporting has referred to Israeli intelligence concerning another possible plot against Trump, although US officials reportedly did not regard all elements of that warning as established or immediately credible.

The distinction matters.

The alleged operational threat comes principally from elements associated with Iran’s security and military establishment. Public chants and placards may demonstrate intense hostility among some participants, but they do not establish the opinion of Iran’s entire population.

Iran has tens of millions of citizens with different political, religious and social views. It would therefore be inaccurate to treat the words of IRGC figures, state officials or selected crowds as the collective voice of the Iranian people.

When headlines report that “Iran threatens Trump”, the more precise question is: which Iranian institution, official or operative is alleged to be speaking or acting?

Government and People Are Not Always the Same

Throughout history, governments have often adopted positions that not every citizen supports.

That is true in democracies and authoritarian systems alike.

In Iran, decisions on defence, national security and foreign policy are largely made by senior political and religious leaders rather than by public referendum. As a result, official statements should not automatically be interpreted as reflecting the personal opinions of every Iranian.

A Young and Diverse Population

Iran has a relatively young, educated population with widespread access to global culture, despite restrictions on media and the internet.

Many Iranians have studied overseas, have relatives living abroad or aspire to greater economic opportunities and international engagement.

Like people everywhere, their priorities often revolve around employment, housing, education, raising families and financial security.

Public Opinion Is Difficult to Measure

Determining what Iranians collectively think is challenging.

Opinion polling is more difficult in countries where freedom of expression may be constrained, and some citizens may hesitate to express political views openly.

There have, however, been periods of public protest over economic conditions, social freedoms and government policies, demonstrating that Iranian society contains a range of opinions rather than a single unified voice.

Separating Citizens From Governments

International tensions can sometimes encourage broad generalisations about entire populations.

Yet history suggests it is wiser to distinguish between a nation's leadership and its people.

Most citizens, regardless of nationality, spend their lives working, caring for their families and hoping for stability rather than conflict.

That does not mean everyone shares the same political beliefs, nor does it mean every citizen supports every decision made by those in power.

Understanding the Difference

Statements made by Iran's leadership are important because they influence diplomacy, regional security and international relations.

However, they should not automatically be taken as evidence that every Iranian shares those views.

Recognising the distinction between governments and the people they govern leads to a more accurate understanding of international affairs.

When analysing any country, including Iran, it is often worth asking not only what the leadership says, but also whether those statements truly reflect the hopes and opinions of millions of ordinary citizens.