Iranian exiles are pushing back on the idea that the country's people stand behind their rulers, a distinction that matters as pressure on Tehran grows.

• The claim: almost the entire Iranian population opposes the government, not just a small opposition group.
• Iran's people are split between about 90 million inside the country and 10 million living abroad in exile.
• Many Iranians say they have been fighting their own government for years, and resent being treated as one and the same.
• The framing matters for how outside powers act, since strikes or sanctions aimed at the government also hit ordinary people.

Outlook: Expect this "regime versus people" argument to shape debate over how hard the West presses Iran.