In an Iftar conference held in France titled “Islam’s Message of Peace and Freedom,” the Iranian Resistance and representative from different Muslim communities and Arab countries expressed solidarity with the Iranian Resistance, and support for regime change in Iran and the end of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and across the world.
For my compatriots in Iran, especially the freedom-loving youths who have risen up in protest, I wish you victory in overcoming the mullahs’ religious tyranny,” Mrs. Rajavi said. “May God’s mercy and compassion lead the Iranian people’s struggle and suffering to final victory: freedom.”
Mrs. Rajavi reminded that the true message of Islam is the peace and freedom, the mullahs ruling Iran have used religion as a tool to push the people’s lives into distress. “Iran’s needy have reached the point where they have to sell their kidneys and corneas. Mothers have become so devastated that they sell their unborn fetuses,” she said, adding that the mullahs are “the worst enemies of God and His people.”
The Iranian regime has plundered the wealth of the Iranian people to fuel its wars in other countries such as Syria and Iraq, Mrs. Rajavi said, stressing that “The overthrow of the mullahs’ regime will shape the destiny of Iran and the entire Middle East.”
The conference took place at a time where the international community is seeking a response to the various threats posed by the Iranian regime. Recently, the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal forged between Iran and world powers because it failed to address the main concerns that the world is faced with in respect to the Iranian regime.
“[The] elimination of the Iranian regime’s terrorism and nuclear threat is only possible by getting rid of the entire regime,” Mrs. Rajavi said. “Peace, democracy, security and stability in the Middle East necessarily depend on ending the rule of religious dictatorship and fascism in Iran.”
Former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghozali, who also spoke at the event, stressed that the Iranian regime is helping slaughter the people of Syria. He also said that the Iranian resistance is the exact opposite of the mullahs’ regime in every respect and called all advocates of liberty to “support the Iranian Resistance.” “They are the true defenders of the message of an Islam of peace and liberty,” he said.
Prominent members of the Syrian opposition also attended the conference and stressed that the fate and freedom of the Iranian and Syrian people are tied together.
Mohamad Nazir Hakim, Secretary General of Syrian Coalition, also spoke about the role of the Iranian regime in plunging Syria in devastation and chaos. “Iran's regime uses its nation's wealth to slaughter our people,” Hakim said. “But Syria's dictator will not remain forever. We know that victory is going to arrive soon.”
Hakim also called on the Western states not to close their eyes on the crimes of the Iranian regime in his country and called on the international community to take an active role in expelling the Iranian regime’s militias from Syria.
Hakim also praised the Iranian people for standing up against the oppression of the Iranian regime and called for the support of the Iranian Resistance. “The NCRI is the true alternative of the mullahs’ regime,” he said.
Many cities reporting activities by PMOI/MEK network
March 22, 2019 - More Resistance Units, a network associated directly to the Iranian opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), are reporting measures against the mullahs’ regime. Read more
March 19, 2019 - In spite of widespread repressive measures, the people and the youth in different Iranian cities turned Chaharshanbe Suri (Fire Festival) ceremonies into protest movement against the mullahs’ regime. The protests come at a time when Khamenei, afraid of popular protest movements, had affirmed in a ridiculous fatwa that “Chaharshanbe Suri (Fire Festival) has no religious basis and if leads to damage or corruption or propagation of false beliefs, not permitted.” In addition, henchmen of the mullahs regime’s judiciary had warned in various cities that they would deal severely with “those in violation.” In Tehran and a number of cities like Kermanshah, Mashad, Karaj, Masjed Soleiman, Khoramabad, Semnan, Ilam, and Mahshahr the youth shouted: “death to Khamenei, death to the principle of Velayat-e-faqih, death to the dictator, with you dictator we would fight fire with fire”. Pictures and effigies of Khamenei and Khomeini were put on fire. In numerous cities, people used sound grenades and firework to attack official centers. In Divandareh, Chaharshanbe Suri (Fire Festival) turned into clashes between the youth and the population with repressive forces who fired into the air to disperse the population. In several cities like Isfahan repressive forces tried to stop ceremonies by attacking the people but were not successful. The mullahs’ regime has tried to prevent diffusion of video-clips and photos of the popular protests through the Internet by cutting off the latter in a number of points and by reducing Internet capacity in others. The Social headquarters of the PMOI had, in a communique dated March 1, 2019, invited the youth to, along with resistance units, put pictures and effigies of Khamenei, Khomeini and other official symbols of the mullahs’ regime on fire in every street and corner during national festivities of Chaharshanbe Suri.
Iranian Fire Festival Is Making Clerical Regime Nervous
The people of Iran are preparing to celebrate the Persian New Year – Nowruz, in the next few days. However, before the start of the new Iranian calendar is marked, the people will be celebrating “Charshanbe Soori”, or the “Festival of Fire”. This year it will be celebrated on 19th March.
It is a much anticipated celebration for the Iranian people. In an outside space, the people prepare by gathering brushwood and bits of wood. Small bonfires are made with the wood and they are lit at sunset. The people then jump over the flames in an act of purification. READ MORE
More Iran regime centers set on fire by PMOI/MEK network
March 18, 2019 - Centers of oppression imposed by the mullahs ruling Iran are being targeted more than ever before by members of “Resistance Units,” a network associated directly to the Iranian opposition group People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Read more
PMOI/MEK network increasing intensity of activities inside the country
New reports are being provided from cities all over Iran of opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) dispatching “Resistance Units” to target icons of the mullahs’ regime and their oppressive units. Read more
Iran opposition network set fire to bases of regime’s oppressive forces
Members of “Resistance Units,” a network associated to the Iranian opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), are escalating their measures by directly targeting the regime, ’s oppressive forces READ MORE
Opposition network gearing for annual “Fire Festival” protests
March 12, 2019 - The following is the latest report covering the activities of the Iranian opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) network inside Iran, known as “Resistance Units.” READ MORE
For one day, Iranian people defy regime during annual festival
Two months after massive uprisings erupted across Iran, the ruling regime is still hard-pressed to re-establish its control over the country. The regime’s waning power was emphasized again on Tuesday when protesters poured to the streets on the occasion of Iran’s Fire Festival. Iran’s rulers have always been disdainful of the Fire Festival, an ancient Persian tradition that takes place on the last Tuesday before the Iranian New Year, during which people head outdoors to celebrate by jumping over small fires and lighting firecrackers and fireworks. READ MORE Hundreds Were Arrested During The Country’s Fire Festival
The Iranian regime resorted to crack down on people celebrating the country’ fire festival which is annually celebrated on the eve of the last Tuesday of Persian calendar year.
The State Security forces were on full alert and oppressive measures taken by the regime, including widespread arrests.
According to the Security Force officials hundreds were arrested in different cities.
Tehran police chief Hossein Rahimi announced that 74 people were arrested for “breaking the norms” and “using dangerous explosives.” (The state-run Jam News, March
READ MORE Chants Of "Death to Khamenei", "Death to the Dictator"; And Burning Images of Khomeini, Khamenei and Rouhani
In spite of the extensive repressive measures and security forces on full alert, the courageous youth across different cities in Iran, turned the celebration of Chaharshanbeh Souri into a scene of expressing protest and disgust against the religious fascism ruling Iran.
According to reports from Tehran and other cities such as Kermanshah, Ahwaz, Qom, Noorabad of Lorestan, Golmoghan of Ardabil, Saveh, ... photos and banners of Khamenei, Khomeini and Rouhani as well as many repression centers were set ablaze by the youth, and the slogans “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the Dictator” were chanted in many cities of the country.
On a balloon that the young people in Kermanshah sent to the air it was written “Death to Khamenei, IRGC, Bassij and Police”. Also, brave youths in Kermanshah burned up a great banner of Khamenei in Kermanshah last night (March 12). Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran March 13, 2018
The End of Persian Year, Prelude to Protests in New Year By Hossein Abedini
The Persian New Year will begin next Tuesday as Iranian people face serious economic and social crises.
According to the reports and analyses, not only the Iranians recent nationwide uprising has not stopped but it has deepened.
The authorities anxiously expect new anti-regime protests in the coming New Year but before the end of the current year, the theocracy faces a dangerous situation in the night before the last Wednesday of the year, which is famously known ”Chaharshanbe Souri”.
Actually, the Chaharshanbe Souri is an ancient event, which people celebrate by making bonefire and using firecracker. For the fundamentalist clerics in Tehran, the event is a nightmare because it is an opportunity for millions of Iranians to come to the streets and new wave of protests could happen.
But this year the regime is much more frightened because Iranians are determined to turn the event into political protests.
Thus, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has mobilised its oppressive forces to control major cities and in particular the capital, Tehran, as well as Mashhad, Shiraz, Qom, Isfahan etc. READ MORE Following is the link of the videos:
Tehran, Sadeghieh square - Young protestors set fire to the regime's trash cans marking the Feast of Fire, but expressing thier anger and frustration against the corrupt and tyrannical mullahs' regime. March 13, 2018 Iran youth throw firecrackers as they close down roads
Young men in Ali Abad district of the capital, throw firecrackers as they closed down the streets in their neighborhood. Security forces were afraid to get involved and none could be seen in the vicinity. Police clashed with youth in Shahin-Shahr
The Iranian regime closed down roads in Shahin Shahr, near the main central city of Esfahan, and clashes erupted between the oppressive security forces and the youth. The police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. Firecrackers exploding right in front of security forces
Fire Festival, Shahr Rey - Youth, set fire to garbage bin, and chase away a fire truck with firecrackers before it had a chance to put the fire out. March 13, 2018 'Students' park - Police force is keeping its distance from the protesting celebrators Youth in Ahwaz confront savage Basij forces
Ahwaz, March 13, 2018 – Ahwazi youth activists confronted oppressive Basij forces in Kian Pars district using defensive and preventing measure to avert a raid by the security forces. They used fireworks and firecrackers as they were confronted by the riot police.
Witnesses reported that the sound of firecrackers were continuous and people set Khamenei's posters on fire. The Fox News interviewed two of the protest organizers from their home base in Iran. click here to read the interview
Iran’s traditional Fire Festival set to upset regime
For thousands of years now, Iran has witnessed a Fire Festival on the last Tuesday of every year. Iranians ring in the New Year on the spring equinox, which corresponds to March 20 this year. But first, they bid winter farewell by holding a national day of Charshanbeh Soori as it is called in Farsi, the language of Iran.
Charshanbeh Soori is a fire festival in the tradition of Iran’s ancient Zoroastrian religion whose adherents believed in the duality of light (good) and darkness (evil). By lighting bonfires in the streets at the end of the last Tuesday of each year and jumping over them, Iranians sing and chant, “Let your ruddiness be mine, my paleness be yours.” They also do some trick or treating that is called spoon-banging where youngsters in disguises visit neighbors and receive snacks. No Charshanbeh Soori would be complete without fireworks. READ MORE An Uprising Leading to Overthrow is a good article by Mohammad Mohaddessin, chair of the NCRI Foreign Affairs Committee must read
Breaking: Iran, March 13 2018 -
The Iranian National Fire Festival, which is held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian calendar year, has begun in most cities
#MaryamRajavi calls on #Iranian ppl to raise up in support of #IranProtests."The mullahs must go. Sovereignty belongs to the people of #Iran."
#FireFest #4ShanbeSouri #PMOI #MEK
This National Fire Festival, has now become a focal point of Ayatollahs’ nightmare. Mullahs' Regime Fear From Another Uprising in Fire Festival; Its Suppressive and Deterrent Measures
Every year, the Iranian people take advantage of this occasion to protest against the regime.
Mullah Mahmoud Salavati from Qom, South of Tehran,
Her is a video clip from Tehran
Brave Iranian youth attacked to the #IRGC bace in Lavasanat
Fearful Regime in Alert on the Verge of National Fire Festival
The regime’s security officials have expressed their deep anxiety over the potential escalation of anti-government protests during the fire festival, Chaharshanbeh Suri, to be held on the evening of Tuesday, March 13. This mood has been apparent in statements issued by Prosecutor Generals and Revolutionary Prosecutors of various provinces and cities around the country. In many cases, they have declared that they have set up a special branch to deal with violations and possible crimes related to Chaharshanbeh Suri.
IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi, commander of Greater Tehran's Police, warned on March 9 that those who would cause insecurity on Chahrshanbeh Souri (fire festival) would be arrested. He came back to the scene on March 7 and said: "Behaviors that are disruptive to the order ... is the red line of the police and we deal with them severely. The frorces will be on alert from 2:00 pm of Tuesday, and those who throw firecrackers from the vehicles and cause disturbance will be arrested themselves and their cars will be seized. We have discovered 100 million pieces of firecracker materials." Raed more
The uprising in Iran will once again flare up.
Flags of rebellious will be hoisted and brave activists will become the voice of voiceless.
On the eve of last Wednesday of the year, the day of Fire Festival, every street and every ally will become an anti-government bastion, and every home will become the resistance fortress for freedom and democracy.
On the eve the national Fire Festival, the brave youth and the rebellious hubs will start another uprising against the clerical dictatorship. Iran must be taken back from this despotic regime.
The storm of uprising will never stop and will continue until the overthrow of this tyrannical regime. The uprising will continue until the establishment of freedom and democracy in Iran with the slogan of 'Down with the Dictator' and 'Down with Velayt e-Faqih (the guardianship of jurists).'
The spring of victory, freedom and democracy is near and Iran will be freed.
President Trump urged to speak with Iranian people in bid to overthrow warmongering regime as protests across the country continue
By Marco Giannangeli, Diplomatic Editor
Express, Feb 28, 2018 - It comes as senior US congressman attended talks with opposition leaders in Paris to discuss tangible ways in which the US can help Iranian citizens to overthrow the “weakened regime”.
“The uprising is not over in Iran. It is an ongoing effort to wipe away these fanatic islamisists and their corrupt regime,” said Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Chairman of the Congressional Sub-Committee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, last night.
Call for pressure on the Iranian regime to withdraw Quds forces and IRGC militiamen from the countries of the region
Two Republican delegates, Dana Rohrabacher and Judge Ted Poe, who are high-ranking members of the US House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, called for western and international support for the Iranian people's movement for change.
The two members of the US House of Representatives who upon the invitation of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) attended the conference “Iran: Horizons of Change in 2018” in Paris, said recent protests in Iran showed that people want a fundamental change.
They focused on the need for the United States and Europe to work together to continue the pressure on the regime and to help the Iranian people for their desired change.
The two Republican members of the House of Representatives have called on the United States and European countries to stand alongside the Iranian people and support them for the realization of their ideals and establishment of a democratic system based on human rights.
They emphasized that the ideal of Iranian people will not be achieved “except by the abolition of religious tyranny” in Iran.
The two Republican members called on their government to press the Iranian regime and force it to withdraw the Quds Force and paramilitary groups affiliated to the Revolutionary Guards from the countries of the region.
They also urged the US government to impose more sanctions on the authorities and institutions of the Iranian regime that were involved in suppressing demonstrators. They emphasized the necessity of providing the Internet and other means of communication for the people of Iran.
“It is imperative for the United States to officially admit that the Iranian people reject the corrupt and oppressive mullahs’ regime in Iran,” said Dana Rohrabacher in his speech at the conference. He added that members of the Congress and government of the United States should show that they stand alongside the Iranian nation, but not as a fanatical alliance.
Rep. Poe emphasized that the world community must hold the Iranian regime’s officials accountable for their atrocities and assist the people of Iran in their noble quest for freedom and democracy.
“The international community must hold Iran regime officials accountable for their crimes and support the people of Iran in their quest for freedom and democracy,” said Republican Rep. Ted Poe at the conference.
At the conference, a number of active Iranian youths, who have recently escaped from their country, were present at the conference as eyewitnesses of the situation in Iran and talked about the intense urge of the Iranian youth to change their country.
Most of the witnesses present at the conference were supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), some of whom were sentenced to prison because of their activities against the regime.
Ahmed Ghozali, former Algerian prime minister, and Rama Yade, former French human rights minister, as well as Yves Bonnet, former director of the French homeland security agency and former member of French national assembly, followed the conference, attended by politicians and experts from European and Islamic countries.
The two Republican members of the US House of Representatives also met with Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, at her headquarters in northern Paris on February 23rd. They condemned the suppression of demonstrators by the Iranian regime and demanded the end of silence and neglect of the crimes of the Iranian regime.
The two Republican delegates called on their government to impose massive financial and banking sanctions on Iranian regime officials, in particular those involved in suppressing demonstrators.Congressmen also demanded U.S. government to vprovide facilities for the free access of the people of Iran to cyberspace and social networks.
Feb. 26, 2018 - A SENIOR US politician has said the days of the clerical regime in Iran “are numbered” and that those behind it could lose power “in a blink of an eye”. Dana Rohrabacher – a Republican member of the House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee – was speaking after a conference on the prospects for change in Iran in Paris, which also looked at US and European policy on Iran. Rohrabacher also had talks with Maryam Rajavi , president-lect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ).
He and colleague Ted Poe condemned the regime for its violent crackdown on protesters and said the international community had to break its silence and inaction.
Senior Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives, Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats, and Judge Ted Poe (R-TX), Chair of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-Proliferation and Trade, met with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
In this meeting which took place at Mrs. Rajavi’s residence in Auvers-sur-Oise,, the two sides discussed the uprising by the Iranian people that began on December 28, 2017, its consequences and the options before the international community.
The senior U.S. lawmakers condemned the Iranian regime for its brutal crackdown on the protests and underscored that the international community must break its silence and inaction vis-à-vis the atrocities perpetrated by the regime against its own citizens. They also urged the U.S. Government to impose comprehensive sanctions, including financial and banking sanctions on Iranian regime’s officials and entities, especially those involved in suppressing the protesters. They also called for measures that would enable the Iranian people to overcome the blocking of the internet and allow them access to communication systems. The lawmakers urged the U.S. Government to force the expulsion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and its proxy militias from the countries in the region.
“The uprising marked a turning point in the struggle of the Iranian people to attain freedom and democracy,” Mrs. Rajavi said, adding that the “chants of ‘death to Khamenei’ and ‘death to Rouhani,’ and ‘reformer, hardliner, the game is now over’ made it palpably clear that the Iranian people demand the overthrow of this regime.”
She emphasized that this uprising will continue until the overthrow of the clerical regime because the underlying factors that propelled the uprising, namely economic mismanagement, rampant government corruption, increasing poverty and inflation, escalating suppression, and a whole host of other social and political problems cannot and will not be resolved.
The NCRI president-elect added, “With the Iranian people’s uprising, the clerical regime has entered its final phase and as such any investment in this regime is doomed to fail. It is time for the international community to stand with the Iranian people and not with the clerical regime.” Mrs. Rajavi also called on the international community to exert greater pressure on the clerical regime to secure the speedy release of all protesters.
“The U.S. Government needs to officially recognize that the Iranian people reject the corrupt and repressive mullah regime in Iran. We, in Congress and the U.S. Government must make it clear that we are on the side of the Iranian people and not their Islamic, fanatic and corrupt allies who oppress them,” Rep. Rohrabacher said.
Rep. Poe emphasized that the world community must hold the Iranian regime’s officials accountable for their atrocities and assist the people of Iran in their noble quest for freedom and democracy.
Marking the Anniversary of Anti-Monarchic Revolution in Iran
MARYAM RAJAVI: FROM 1979 REVOLUTION TO THE UPRISING IN 2018- FOR FREEDOM, IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM, TOWARDS FREEDOM
Maryam Rajavi: the people of Iran will not be satisfied by anything less than overthrowing the ruling theocracy
On the eve of the 39th anniversary of the overthrow of the Shah’s regime in Iran, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi attended a gathering of Iranians on February 10, 2018. The President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran hailed all the martyrs fallen for Iran’s freedom in the 1979 Revolution up until the uprising in January 2018. She told the gathering, “The courageous uprising in December-January and its subsequent protests across the country proved that the Iranian people will not be satisfied by anything less than the overthrow of the clerical regime in its entirety. The presence of women and youths at the forefront of the protests guarantee the continuation of the uprising. Iranian women have not succumbed to the regime’s crackdown despite 39 years of systematic repression and humiliation, including the imposition of the compulsory veil.”
Recalling the demands, she had mentioned to the meetings at the Council of Europe two weeks ago, Mrs. Rajavi reiterated, “We seek the immediate release of all prisoners of the uprising, freedom of speech and assembly, abolition of women’s suppression and the compulsory veil, right now.”
Maryam Rajavi said, “The record of four decades of the mullahs’ religious dictatorship can be summed up in five words, ‘slaughter, plunder, destruction, export of fundamentalism and terrorism under the name of revolution, and misogyny.’ Khamenei acknowledged a couple of days ago that the clerical regime’s internal corruption is a seven-headed dragon. In reality, the main head of this dragon is in Khamenei’s house.”
“The Iranian people and protestors have decided to replace the Velayat-e Faqih regime and its Revolutionary Guard Corps and Bassij with a republic based on freedom and democracy. They want to invest in the country’s education, health, sports, social welfare, jobs and economy instead of investing in nuclear programs and other weapons of mass destruction,” Mrs. Rajavi pointed out.
To those employed by the regime’s suppressive forces: Separate your ranks from those of executioners. Refuse the shame of serving the criminal forces
She called on everyone who is employed by the repressive forces, particularly the IRGC and Bassij, to refuse the shame of serving these criminal forces and disobey when ordered to clamp down on the public. She said, “Poverty and destitution are a thousand times better than receiving the wages and salaries paid by murderers and torturers. Separate your ranks from those of executioners who killed the deprived youths of Izeh, Doroud and Arak. I am also addressing the personnel of the Army and the State Security Force. You should refuse every form of cooperation with the criminal IRGC. Do not let the mullahs take advantage of you in spilling the blood of Iran’s children.
Mrs. Rajavi reiterated, “We have always said this and I repeat: no to compulsory religion, no to religious compulsion, no to the compulsory veil and no to compulsory government. The time has come to put an end to these coercions. To achieve a free republic based on equality, however, we do not expect any miracles to happen. Nor do we expect any coincidental or chance occurrences in our favor. Our entire asset is the Iranian nation and its vanguard children. And this is indeed the greatest power in the world. So, we must expect everything to be achieved with our own hands and through our own determination.”
Addressing Iranian youths, Mrs. Rajavi asserted, “The uprising, and its continuation and expansion, place numerous duties and responsibilities on the shoulders of every single one of you. Surely, each of you can undertake part of these duties. you should not heed talks about IRGC being powerful. They are powerful only when there are no protests and no uprising. But when every one of you undertakes a role in the advancement of the uprising, they become crippled.”
A large number of youths from Iranian diaspora in Europe and North America participated and spoke in this gathering.
MARYAM RAJAVI: EUROPE MUST END ITS SILENCE AND INACTION OVER IRANIAN REGIME’S CRIMES
Friday, February 9, 2018, a meeting was held in Auvers-sur-Oise entitled, Iranian people’s uprising, and international call for freedom of prisoners of the uprising. Maryam Rajavi and a number of European MPs from UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Malta, Lithuania, Switzerland and Poland participated. Addressing the participating MPs and personalities, Maryam Rajavi said:
Honorable representatives,
Distinguished guests,
Welcome to the home of the Iranian Resistance. I am glad to see you here and have the opportunity to discuss with you the changing circumstances in Iran. The conditions in Iran are constantly changing and I would like to focus on four issues, today. Then, I would be more than glad to hear your views. These four issues are:
- The uprising was a turning point in Iranian developments;
- Evaluation of the regime’s status in confronting the uprising;
- The role of the Iranian Resistance in the developments and guaranteeing stability, peace and security;
- And finally, the right Europe policy on Iran.
We believe the uprising was a turning point. This means that the conditions will never go back to the previous state. What happened in Iran was beyond some protest demonstrations over economic problems, but a nationwide movement against the clerical regime in its entirety. The uprising bore several prominent features:
The first feature was the span and rapid expansion of the protests. In a few days, the protests spread to 142 cities.
The second feature is that these protests were based on the regime’s total failure in resolving the most basic problems in the society, including unemployment, high prices, in step with social and political suppression. The reality is that financial, political and judicial corruption has engulfed the regime. Its policy of intervention in the region has run into a deadlock and exhausted its resources. Its adverse consequences are already felt inside the country. The important point to note here is that this fundamental reason is still in place and further aggravated and the regime does not have the power to solve it.
The only way to deal with these crises is serious political change which the regime is not able to undertake.
Third, the driving force of the protests was made up of women and the social sectors that the regime used to claim, and some in the West believed, were its power base. Namely the deprived sectors who are tired of the regime’s oppression. Both the deprived masses and women, have suffered enormously from oppression and discrimination. They do not have anything to lose and they are prepared to pay the price and stand up to the regime.
The video clips coming from Iran show that women are at the forefront in many scenes.
Last week, an IRGC deputy commander clearly said that women, particularly the PMOI women, led the protests in many cities.
Indeed, women have borne the brunt of repression in the 39 years of the mullahs’ rule. The compulsory veil, as well as subjugation and humiliation of women for failing to observe the veil, are among the most important means for the regime to impose repression on society. The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran has reiterated since the first day, that compulsory religion, religious coercions and the compulsory veil blatantly contradict the true teachings of Islam.
State polls conducted in several years ago have been just recently divulged, according to which the greater majority of Iranian women oppose the compulsory veil. This is an indication of Iranian women’s fury and hate towards the clerical regime. In fact, women make up an explosive force and a powerful potential for rising up against the regime and overthrowing it.
The fourth feature in this uprising was that the slogans and chants like “death to Khamenei”, “death to Rouhani,” and “reformists, hardliners, beware that the game is over” targeted the regime in its entirety.
The fifth important feature of these protests was that they were organized. The fact that they spread to 142 cities with similar slogans was not and could not be just a coincidence. The people’s chants reflected the demands the Iranian Resistance has been struggling for, for years. The mullahs’ supreme leader, Khamenei, formally announced that the PMOI had organized the protests and they had planned for them since months ago.
Rouhani called the French President and said the PMOI was behind the recent incidents in Iran and asked him to restrict the activities of the Iranian Resistance. A deputy commander of the IRGC also said, “the ring leaders in these riots were from the PMOI.”
Honorable guests,
We believe that despite any ups and down, the protests and the uprising will continue. Of course, the regime has so far demonstrated that it will make its best effort to clamp down on the protests. So far, 50 people have been killed, thirteen of whom died under torture. More than 8,000 people were arrested during the uprising.
A few days ago, a member of the mullahs’ parliament cited the head of the Prisons Organization and said that they had registered 4,972 arrests. The mere verification of this figure indicates that the true figures are much higher than 8,000.
Nevertheless, the regime is not powerful enough to stop the protests. Of course, there will be ups and downs, but there will not be any stops. As you might have noticed, after two weeks of relative calm, again various Iranian cities were scenes of protests on January 31 and February 1, with the similar slogans that denied the regime in its entirety.
At the same time, protests by workers, toilers and plundered people take place every day.
Dear friends,
The Iranian regime is in a weaker position than any other time. There are signs of alarm and concern even inside the IRGC and Bassij militia, on which the regime relies for its survival.
A number of members of Bassij burned their membership cards during the days of the uprising and joined the protesters.
Some of the people killed by the regime’s forces during the protests were from Bassiji families. The clerical regime’s power to dispatch its IRGC forces to Syria has drastically diminished and for this reason, it basically relies on non-Iranian mercenary forces from other countries.
In a word, the factors that led to the uprising are still in force and even aggravated.
The wall of fear has been cracked, and nothing including arrests, killings and torture can prevent the advancement of the protests to overthrow the regime. The clerical regime is doomed to go and the Iranian Resistance guarantees a free Iran and tranquility and stability for the region.
I pointed to the admissions made by the regime’s leaders on the role of the PMOI in the uprising. But the role of the Resistance is much deeper. In reality, there is a democratic alternative in Iran with a broad popular base and capable of bringing change to the country. It is able to offer plans and specific structures for future Iran. This is why the regime so greatly fears it.
The regime and its lobbies try to scare the people of Iran and the International Community from the eruption of an internal conflict and a repeat of the Syrian scenario in Iran. In this way, they seek to contribute to the regime’s survival. The reality, however, is that the presence of this powerful, deeply-rooted alternative actually guarantees a united and sovereign Iran.
The mullahs and their lobbies conceal the fact that the clerical regime is the main cause of crisis and killings in Syria. They are concealing the fact that when the uprising climaxes and overthrows the mullahs, not only Iran will not become another Syria, but the crises in Syria and Iraq and other countries in the region will be replaced by peace, tranquility and democracy.
We seek a free and democratic Iran, separation of religion and state, equal rights for all ethnic groups and their autonomy in the framework of Iran’s territorial integrity, gender equality, and the abolition of the compulsory veil and all the medieval laws against women.
And finally, the question is what is the right policy for Europe?
During my visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on January 24, I called on the Council of Europe, the European Union and its member states to adopt effective measures and binding decisions to compel the religious fascist regime ruling Iran to free the prisoners of the uprising, guarantee freedom of speech and assembly, and put an end to the suppression of women and abolish the compulsory veil.
All forms of relations with the Iranian regime must be conditioned on end to executions and repression. Only the mullahs’ supreme leader and the IRGC benefit from economic trade with the Iranian regime. They spend the revenues on further suppression of the people and warmongering in the region.
Any destabilization of the region, based on recent experiences, will also put pressure on Europe by terrorist attacks.
This is what we say: 39 years of bloodshed and crimes, discrimination against and suppression of women, repression and censorship is enough. Europe must end its silence and inaction and distance itself from the clerical regime.
This regime has no future and appeasing it will only increase the price of freedom for the people of Iran. Appeasement will fuel more wars and crises in the region but of course, it cannot prevent the overthrow of the clerical regime by the people of Iran, just as the all-out support of the US and western countries up to the last months of the Shah’s rule, could not prevent his overthrow.
I thank you all very much and will be glad to hear you.
Auvers-sur-Oise, January 31, 2018 -- Maryam Rajavi met with Dr. Riyadh Yassin, the Ambassador of the Yemen Republic to France and that country’s former ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health.
The Ambassador of Yemen underscored the support of this people and government for the Iranian people’s courageous uprising against the mullahs’ dictatorship. He appreciated the positions of the National Council of Resistance of Iran against the Iranian regime’s policy of export of terrorism and fundamentalism abroad and its interventions in the countries in the region, including Yemen. He said, the victory of the Iranian Resistance not only brings freedom and progress to the people of Iran but heralds peace and friendship in the region and rids Islamic countries from the evil of this regime.
Mrs. Rajavi expressed her gratitude for the solidarity of the people and government of Yemen and said the Iranian people’s uprising rapidly spread to 142 cities and foiled the myth about the regime’s power base and showed that the Iranian people are determined to overthrow this illegitimate and decrepit regime.
Maryam Rajavi recalled the stances of the Iranian Resistance since three decades ago on the need to counter the warmongering policies and terrorist meddling of the clerical regime. She emphasized that these interventions help save the clerical regime’s grips on power as its rule is propped up by suppression, executions, and export of crises abroad.
Maryam Rajavi strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s meddling in Yemen and its ominous ambitions against the people of Yemen which are in flagrant violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216. She reiterated the need for the International Community, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to have decisive stances against this aggressive regime.
Rajavi calls on Europe to pull up Iran for repression
The Al Riyadh Daily, 24 January 2018 - Maryam Rajavi , the elected president of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has criticized the European Union 's silence and failure to respond to the brutal repression of the Iranian regime, which has led to mass detention of thousands of unarmed protesters and the torture of scores of demonstrators. Such a lack of response has reflected on Europe’s total disregard for its basic obligations toward humankind and its disrespect for the European Convention on Human Rights, she said during an official visit to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.
Several political groups had invited the prominent Iranian opposition leader to attend their meetings, including the key political groups at the Council, the European People's Party, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, and the united European left. Rajavi also met and held talks with several senior officials of the Council.
In her remarks, Rajavi urged the Council of Europe and the member states to adopt decisive measures and binding resolutions to force the ruling clerical dictatorship in Iran to release the protestors, respect freedom of expression and assembly, and put an end to repression.
Rajavi said, 'Thirty-nine years of bloodshed, brutality and discrimination against women are enough. The international community, particularly Europe, must end their silence and inaction.' She stressed, “The expression of concern is not enough. The lack of action in Europe sends a false signal to the brutal dictatorship in Iran that it can continue its crimes against the Iranian people without punishment.'
Iran opposition leader urges Council of Europe to compel Tehran to release arrested
EU Reporter, January 24, 2018 - In an official visit to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, (24 January), Maryam Rajavi , president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran ( NCRI ) rebuked Europe’s silence and inaction vis-à-vis the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown and mass arrests of thousands of unarmed protesters, as well as torturing detained protesters to death.
She said that such a muted reaction undercuts many of Europe’s fundamental commitments and principles, including the European Convention on Human Rights
Calling for immediate release of imprisoned protesters, freedom of expression and association, lifting of the rule of repression and the compulsory veil
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), attended and addressed the official meetings of the European People’s Party (EPP), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), and the Unified European Left (UEL) at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. She elaborated on the latest developments in the Iranian people’s uprising against the religious fascism ruling Iran and answered questions by PACE members.
Mrs. Rajavi’s visit took place on invitations by PACE political groups. At the conclusion of the three meetings, she participated at a press conference attended by a number of PACE members and informed the public of a summary of her talks at the three meetings
In these meetings, Mrs. Rajavi urged the Council of Europe and its member states to adopt effective measures and binding decisions to compel the religious dictatorship ruling Iran to release the prisoners of the uprising, uphold freedom of expression and association, end repression and lift the compulsory veil.
She declared, “Thirty-nine years of bloodshed and crimes, discriminations against and subjugation of women, repression and censorship is enough. The International Community must end its silence and inaction.”
Mrs. Rajavi pointed out, “Dozens of people were shot dead during the uprising by security forces and Revolutionary Guards, and at least 8000 have been arrested. Every day, we learn of another prisoner killed under torture, but the mullahs’ henchmen ridiculously claim that they committed suicide in detention. A number of youths are missing and their families have no news of them. Making mass arrests, opening fire on unarmed protesters, and torturing prisoners to death, are clear examples of crime against humanity. Unfortunately, Europe has chosen silence and inaction about all of these crimes, something that contradicts many of Europe’s fundamental and joint commitments including the European Convention on Human Rights.”
Mrs. Rajavi added, “Iran is a powder keg and the protests continue to occur throughout the country. The regime is engulfed in crises. Corruption is an inseparable part of it. In the past month, the value of the country’s official currency has dropped 15 per cent. The regime is doomed to fall and the Iranian people are determined to continue their struggle to end the rule of religious dictatorship and establish freedom.”
In another part of her remarks, Mrs. Rajavi noted, “In such circumstances, on behalf of the Iranian people and the Iranian Resistance, I urge the Council of Europe, the European Union and its member states, and the United Nations to stand beside the people of Iran and not the mullahs’ theocratic regime. The regime must understand that it has to pay a high price for opening fire on demonstrators and killing them under torture.”
She also called for the formation of an international inquiry delegation to investigate into the deaths, detention and disappearances of Iranian protesters and those murdered in prison. She said the regime must be compelled to accept this delegation in Iran.
Mrs. Rajavi reiterated, “The Iranian people’s nationwide uprising has shown that the religious fascism ruling Iran is not legitimate and does not have any prospects of future survival. Investing in this regime is doomed to fail. All diplomatic and economic relations with the Iranian regime must be put to halt. Iran’s rulers must face comprehensive sanctions for decades of crimes against humanity. Iran’s economy is concentrated at Khamenei’s headquarters and in the hands of the IRGC. Doing business with this regime will only fuel its killing machine and its export of war and terrorism.”
Upon the invitation of Mr. Tiny Kox, chairman of the United European Left, Maryam Rajavi attended an official meeting of this group during her visit to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
She elaborated on the Iranian uprising, the motives and demands of the protesters, the demands of the Iranian people for the release of those arrested, and answered questions of EC representatives.
The UEL official meeting was presided by Mr. Tiny Kox. He thanked Maryam Rajavi for attending the meeting and reiterated his support for the Iranian Resistance. Maryam Rajavi told the meeting:
I have come here today to be the voice of those protesters who are presently in prison
and under torture.
It was wrongly thought in the past years that the working class and low-income masses form the regime’s base. Recent protests have put an end to this notion.
Iran is a rich country where 70% of its working population lives under the poverty line. Factory workers around the country have gone unpaid for months. Instead, the regime spends huge oil revenues and the assets unfrozen after the nuclear deal on wars and destruction in the region.
The mullahs have taken advantage of the nuclear deal to step up human rights abuses in Iran and fuel wars in the region. This is while one of the most popular slogans chanted by protesters was “Leave Syria, think of us.”
The protests that began over high prices quickly turned into political demands. The Iranian people know well that as long as this regime is in power, they will continue to suffer. The country’s wealth is in the hands of a small percentage of people. The wealth of Khamenei, alone, has been estimated at more than 95 billion dollars.
The message of the Iranian people’s uprising is very loud and clear: The time has come for regime change in Iran. Let me be clear: Regime change in Iran is the responsibility of the Iranian people and the Iranian Resistance and no one else.
We reject both, a military intervention in Iran and the appeasement of the regime.
The recent protests have shown that the people of Iran want fundamental change. They want a true republic, an elected government that people freely choose and vote for.
Honorable representatives,
Allow me to draw your attention to the situation of human rights in Iran, particularly since the beginning of protests.
Fifty of the protesters have been killed in the uprising, some in the streets and some in custody and under torture.
Unfortunately, however, Europe remains silent. I have not heard of any European government protesting the regime over the killing of protesters under torture. Why?
Over 8,000 people have been arrested for participating in the protests.
Where is the outrage expected to be seen in Europe? Where are the defenders of human rights to raise their voice in support of those suffering in Iranian prisons?
I have come here today to ask you to be the voice of those detainees who are being tortured to death.
I urge your group and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to strongly condemn the killing of protesters in prisons and urge all governments in Europe to take practical measures for the release of the prisoners.
Urge your governments to take action and condition their relations with the Iranian regime on the release of the detainees and other political prisoners.
I also ask you to urge the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights to launch an inquiry committee to investigate the arbitrary arrests and the deaths of protesters in detention.
Ask your governments to side with the people of Iran in their righteous and legitimate struggle for a free Iran.
My demands and the demands of my compatriots are these: Immediate release of the prisoners of Iran uprising; freedom of speech and association; abolition of the suppression of women and the compulsory veil. Just now and today. After 39 years, enough is enough!
Thank you all.
Upon the invitations of several political groups of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Maryam Rajavi participated in the official meeting of the European People’s Party, the largest political group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The meeting of the EPP at the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe on January 24 was presided by Mr. Cezar Preda. In his introductory speech, he said: your struggle is just and we are at your side for freedom, democracy and human rights.
Elaborating on the Iranian people’s recent uprising and its consequences, Maryam Rajavi told the meeting:
In just two weeks, since December 28, an uprising erupted in Iran and rapidly spread to 142 cities. Millions of people particularly the youths took to the streets. They called for the overthrow of Khamenei and the entire religious dictatorship. They also chanted against Rouhani.
During these legitimate protests, over 8000 people were arrested. Reliable reports indicate that so far, at least ten protesters have been killed under torture in prison.
Today, I have come to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to be the voice of those protesters who are presently in prison and under torture.
I urge your group and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to strongly condemn the killing of protesters in prisons and to urge all governments in Europe to take practical measures for the release of the prisoners.
I also ask you to urge the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to form an inquiry committee to investigate into the arbitrary arrests and the deaths of protesters while in detention.
These are our people’s demands: Immediately free the prisoners of the uprising, uphold the freedom of speech and association, abolish the compulsory veil and repression of women, now and just today. After 39 years, enough is enough!
Honorable representatives,
The uprising in Iran had several important messages. The first message is that the Iranian regime is very fragile and the Iranian society is in an explosive state. The other message is that the people of Iran desire a fundamental change. They reject both internal factions of the regime.
Today, the wall of terror has been cracked. Now, it is the mullahs’ turn to fear for their future. The regime’s Revolutionary Guards and security forces were not able to prevent the eruption of the protests which indicates the regime’s weakness. More importantly, they were not able to prevent the rapid spread of the uprising to Iranian cities.
It was also proven that despite massive repression, there is a force within the Iranian society that is able to create such an uprising. This contradicts the claims made by the mullahs and their advocates about rivalries between the regime’s two factions being the only force in Iran.
But Khamenei emphasized in his speech on January 9, that the uprising had been organized by the PMOI since several months ago. He said, “They were the ones who called for it.”
Distinguished representatives,
The clerical regime is sitting on a powder keg. It is rotten to the core and divided. Economically, the regime is in a critical situation, and has no way out.
After the JCPOA, everyone expected improvement of people’s general living conditions. But the mullahs took advantage of the political and financial benefits of the deal to further violate human rights in Iran and to intensify their war efforts in the region to cover up their domestic problems. The regime’s simultaneous engagement in several regional wars and crises, however, has put it in trouble.
Without repression, the regime is not able to survive even for a short period. Under this regime, no one can express opposition. No one has the right to organize or associate. Individual freedoms, including free choice of clothing, are restricted.
The mullahs’ supreme leader and his accomplice do not bound by any rules. When they feel endangered, they easily break their own laws. People do not feel any security in such circumstances.
There is no security for business owners, either. They can easily fabricate cases against any company. The Judiciary is extremely corrupt and serves merely a tool of suppression in the hands of Khamenei. There is no legal security.
Iran holds the world’s highest per capita rate of executions. The mullahs preserve their rule with such brutality. But we are confident that their rule will not last long because the people of Iran want change.
We are a movement seeking freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Our coalition, the National Council of Resistance, is the democratic alternative to the clerical regime in Iran. The NCRI is made up of personalities and political groups of various tendencies.
The NCRI struggles for a secular republic based on separation of religion and state, and for a society based on human rights and gender equality. It also seeks an independent Judiciary based on the principle of presumption of innocence and espouses equal economic opportunities for everyone.
Our Resistance struggles to establish a system based on the rule of law, an accountable and responsible government with maximum transparency where everyone can participate in decision-making.
We rely on the Iranian Resistance and uprising to bring about change in Iran. We reject any foreign intervention. But we urge other governments, particularly in Europe, to condition their relations with the Iranian regime on end to torture and executions.
Thank you all very much. Riyadh Rajavi calls on Europe to pull up Iran for repression
MARYAM RAJAVI IN NEW YEAR GATHERING WITH FRENCH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE IRANIAN RESISTANCE
Sunday, January 21, in a gathering for the New Year, Maryam Rajavi met with a group of the elected representatives of the people of France, French supporters of the Iranian Resistance, and a number of residents of Auvers-sur-Oise and other cities. To read the remarks click here conference Entitled,Regime Change in Iran with 1000 Ashrafs
Paris: A conference was held on Friday, January 19, 2018, entitled, “Change in Iran with 1000 Ashrafs”, featuring Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, Mr. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and Senator Robert Torricelli. A group of representatives of Iranian communities in Europe also attended the conference. Read more
Newt Gingrich: The Iranian regime is doomed to fall and the resistance is having an impact
Before its news.com, January 21, 2018 - The prominent Republican and former presidential candidate was addressing a meeting with representatives of Iranian communities from Europe, which was held at the NCRI ’s headquarters in a northern suburb of Paris.
Maryam Rajavi , the President-elect of the NCRI, addressed the meeting, titled “Regime change in Iran.”
The meeting took place in the wake of a popular uprising that erupted in Iran on December 28. According to the network of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), the NCRI’s main constituent group, the protests rapidly spread to 142 cities across the country. The MEK network reported that some 50 protesters were killed and at least 8,000 were detained. A growing number of are found to have been tortured to death.
In his speech on January 9, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said, “These incidents had been organized.” The MEK implemented the plans. He added, “The MEK had prepared for this months ago” and “the MEK’s media outlets had called for it.”
Gingrich said: “The current dictatorship in Iran has been clearly sustained by fear and torture…Khamenei has suffered a tremendous moral defeat…The level of discontent in Iran and the level of rejection of the dictatorship is deeper today than any time before. Read more
Must read: The National, 23rd January 2018- Newt Gingrich: Europe is ‘hiding from reality’ of Iran protests
MARYAM RAJAVI :IRAN UPRISING, TIME TO MARCH ON At a conference entitled, “Regime Change in Iran; Onwards with 1000 Ashrafs”
featuring former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senator Robert Torricelli, Col. Wesley Martin, and a group of members and supporters of the Iranian Resistance, Maryam Rajavi said:
I welcome you to this conference.
I bow to the glorious uprising of the Iranian people and to the courage and sacrifice of those rising to achieve freedom and democracy.
Infinite salutes to the thousands who have been incarcerated in torture chambers for standing up to Khamenei.
Hail to the martyrs of the uprising and to the innocent youths who lost their lives under torture.
Let me express my deepest sympathies with you, the parents who are mourning the loss of your children and loved ones, these days. I empathize with you, the men and women inquiring about your children outside the regime’s prisons in the freezing cold.
We are all too familiar with these pains and sufferings:
- with anxiety over not hearing anything about the fate of our sisters and brothers under torture;
- with the shock and restlessness that come with learning of the execution or martyrdom of our comrades; and with the indescribable excitement and hope generated by the uprising.
Your presence at the burial ceremonies of the martyrs moved the country. May your numbers grow larger and larger in such gatherings so that the mullahs would understand that their overthrow is expedited when they spill blood of these martyrs.
Here, I would like to commend all the people of Iran, high school and university students, boys, and girls, particularly the women, and all my fellow compatriots who took the honor and dignity of Iran and Iranians to the next level before the eyes of the international community.
Hail to all of you, because through your uprising, and by sacrificing your children and risking your lives and property, you said no to this anti-human regime.
Without any doubt, all of us will march on together, until we overthrow this corrupt and criminal regime.
Victory belongs to you.
Let us rise and honor the memory of all the martyrs and those who rose up by a minute-long applaud.
Dear friends,
The uprising which erupted on December 28, in Iran, spread to 142 cities across the country with breakneck speed.
The uprising showed that the Iranian society is in an explosive state, simmering with discontent. It showed that the regime is much weaker than perceived.
It showed that the billions of dollars of windfall from the nuclear deal did nothing to cure the regime’s instability.
And finally, the uprising showed that the people of Iran detest both regime factions and want it overthrown in its entirety.
The Iran uprising emanated from three major changes:
First, the wall of fear in Iranian cities suffered cracks. This can be seen in the audacity and bravery of the young protesters. It is now the mullahs who are shaking in fear.
Second, the myth of the invincibility of Khamenei’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has been proven false. Of course, this criminal force has no scruples about committing crimes. But it will be defeated by the power of our people’s desire for freedom. This explains why it failed to prevent the eruption of the uprising and more importantly, could not prevent it from spreading.
And third, a new force with a fighting spirit, demanding freedom and equality arose from the heart of Iran’s long-suffering cities.
This movement showed that the Iranian society has a force within itself capable of overthrowing the theocratic regime.
In his speech on January 9, Khamenei said, “These incidents had been organized.” The MEK implemented the plans. He added, “The MEK had prepared for this months ago” and “the MEK’s media outlets had called for it.”
He said the MEK was at the apex of the triangle that incited the uprising. He attributed the other two angles to foreign powers.
The real triangle of the uprising, however, is something else. In the triangle of the uprising, the MEK is situated at one angle. The other angle is the regime which is rotten and no longer able to continue its rule. The third angle is the volatile state of the society and our people’s discontent. They can no longer tolerate the regime.
This uprising is the embodiment of the Iranian nation’s resolve and is inspired by a great and historic perseverance to overthrow the mullahs’ religious tyranny.
The uprising in Iran has also swept away many misleading speculations aimed at preserving the regime.
The uprising is not a byproduct of an internal power struggle. To the contrary, it is another nail in the coffin of the masquerade about moderation.
The uprising is not a conspiracy by foreign powers; rather it has discredited Western governments’ appeasement of the ruling theocracy.
This uprising is, of course, impacted by the public’s rage over the mullahs’ plundering of their wealth. Poverty, unemployment, and class differences have inspired it. But it is not a protest limited to demands for necessities of life.
This is a revolt for freedom and popular sovereignty to establish social justice and prosperity.
This uprising is not a spontaneous and sudden upheaval by the hungry.
You saw that during protests and gatherings in 142 cities, not even a single shop or business or personal property was attacked. The protesters targeted centers of suppression and plunder that have been maintained through executions, arrests, and torture.
This is an uprising against religious tyranny, deception, and lies under the banner of Islam.
Therefore, this uprising marks the beginning of a genuine spring for the nations of the Middle East to topple fundamentalism. It is also a harbinger of hope for the whole world.
This uprising was not an act of despair, but overflowing with hope for fundamental change in Iran. Indeed, the darkness of disbelief and insecurity is approaching its end. Now، the dawn of certainty and faith in victory is looming.
The message of this uprising is what the Iranian Resistance Leader Massoud Rajavi said, “We say to the reactionary Caliph, Khamenei: 30 years of absolute despotic rule, nurtured by wars in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, appeasement, Daesh and Al-Qaeda is enough. Now, you better step down, otherwise the people will bring you down from your throne and throw you to the ground.”
Dear friends,
Another point that I must stress, is that the mullahs cannot prevent the resurgence of the uprisings, because they only depend on their deeply-hated repressive organs. They have lost the most important component of their power to enchain the society. Therefore:
The regime’s claims of enjoying a broad base of social support and its election shams are useless. The claims by the mullahs’ spin doctors about their popularity among the impoverished have been proven hollow. Today, those very same destitute and toiling masses have besieged the mullahs.
The regime’s deception under the banner of Islam is no longer effective but will prove counter-productive. Today, protesters attack the symbols of the mullahs’ religious demagoguery. According to regime officials, people attacked the offices of 60 Friday prayer leaders.
The mullahs’ charlatanism, portraying themselves as defenders of the abased, has been totally exposed. Today, the very same abased cry out in the streets: People must beg while the supreme leader lives like a God.
The policy of denying people’s demands and outcries has failed. Today, the regime’s leaders and officials have been compelled to admit to a part of our people’s demands.
And finally, the policy of covering up and denying the MEK’s deep roots within Iranian society has reached a deadlock. The most senior regime officials, including Khamenei, Rouhani and Khatami are acknowledging this movement’s significant role in advancing the uprising and the impact of its ideals and slogans in society.
At the height of the 1979 uprisings, messages of protesters had checkmated the Shah’s corrupt dictatorship. Now, the religious fascist regime has lost its most important weapon and its duplicitous safeguards.
I would like to conclude that from now on, the Iranian society will not return to the conditions preceding the uprising, nor is the religious dictatorship capable of regaining its previous balance. This means that the confrontation between the people of Iran and the ruling regime will intensify and the power struggle among the regime’s internal factions will aggravate.
In his recent remarks, Khamenei acknowledged the continuation of the protests. He said, “This is a battle of the nation against anti-nation, the battle of Iran against anti-Iran, and the battle of Islam against anti-Islam and it will henceforth continue.”
Yes, we say: The battle of our nation and our country, Iran, will continue against the diehard enemy of Iran and all Iranians, namely the velayat-e faqih regime.
The steadfastness of prisoners at the time of the 1988 massacre, the perseverance in Ashraf and Liberty with its martyrs and wounded, and the sacrifice of our youths in the streets today, are all the continuation of this battle.
But in the end, it is the people of Iran who will overcome the religious dictatorship.
Dear friends,
Another point I must reiterate is the decisive role of the alternative. In this confrontation, our great asset for the advancement of the uprising is the existence of a democratic alternative that represents the Iranian people’s freedom-seeking aspirations.
This alternative is rooted in the Iranian people’s democratic struggles during the Constitutional Revolution in 1906.
This alternative inherits the most genuine traditions and values of the oil nationalization movement led by Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq and of the anti-monarchic revolution, which have evolved into the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the most enduring political coalition in Iran.
And finally, this alternative relies on a long and an all-out perseverance of a generation of the Mojahedin and freedom fighters, who have always been ready to sacrifice. At the helm of this Resistance is its leader, Massoud Rajavi, who founded this alternative to defend the democratic aspirations of the people of Iran and achieve freedom and democracy. He has led and advanced forward this movement under the most turbulent circumstances.
Dear Friends,
Our platform and aspirations for the future of Iran is the common outcry of protesters in cities across Iran:
The establishment of a free and democratic republic, based on separation of religion and state, and gender equality, equal participation of women in political leadership, autonomy of Iran’s various ethnic groups within Iran’s territorial integrity, pluralism, abolition of the death penalty and equal economic opportunities for all.
So, I would like to address my fellow compatriots and particularly the protesters and say:
Your courageous uprising proved that 1000 bastions of battle and rebellion is the correct answer to the simmering situation in Iran and society’s readiness for an uprising. Earlier, during the mullahs’ election sham, you proved this strategy by exposing the criminal candidate, Raissi
In rushing to the aid of earthquake victims in Kermanshah Province and providing them relief, you demonstrated that this is the right path and is the way forward.
As I said two years ago, in the Resistance’s annual gathering:
The question is not whether the ruling theocracy will be overthrown. The question is how we can reach that goal more quickly. We can do so by establishing 1,000 Ashrafs, namely 1,000 bastions of rebellion and resistance against the ruling theocracy.
The symbolism of establishing 1,000 Ashrafs really speaks to an attempt to unearth the repressed potentials; it means joining together the countless individuals who are currently scattered and disconnected, and it means encouraging people to invite the real hope in their hearts and minds that the beast can be brought down. Yes, we can, and we must!
Indeed, you, Iran’s valiant youths, my brave daughters and sons across the country, you showed that you can take to the streets even under a massive and anti-human repression, not once, not ten times, but hundreds of times in 142 cities.
Your speed in expanding the protests took over the IRGC. Your bravery and courage overcame the regime’s force of intimidation, and your determination and resolve shattered the spell of disbelief and despair imposed by the ruling mullahs.
And now, this capability guarantees the continuation of your struggle. You have found the secret to victory and freedom, which is the expansion and continuation of the protests, and strikes, and sit-ins. No power can prevent the continuation of your uprising. Flogging, torture, and execution cannot counter your power of hope and faith.
In the face of your unity and the organized movement, the mullahs’ theocracy is doomed to fall and destruction.
A free and democratic republic is within reach.
Our people urge the United Nations and all governments to pressure the clerical regime to free those arrested in recent protests and hold them accountable regarding those who have disappeared.
The United Nations must form a commission of inquiry to investigate the arbitrary arrests of thousands of people and the killing of prisoners under torture.
I call on all Iranians around the world to endeavor with everything in their power for the release of young protesters from jail. Yes, we will not relent. We will not give up until our children are freed from Khamenei’s dungeons.
Our people expect that the governments around the world severe their relations with the clerical regime. The people of Iran urge all governments and businesses to cut their trade and commercial relations with the IRGC, which is torturing and killing the protesters. They urge the UN and the world to recognize the Iranian people’s struggle to overthrow the mullahs’ religious dictatorship.
This is the right of a brave people who are at the forefront of the struggle against a regime which is a threat to global peace and security. So, I call on the world to assist the uprising in Iran.
Thank you all very much.
Onward to a Free Iran
Jan. 20, 2018 - Colonel Wesley Martin, one of the most senior Antiterrorism/Force Protection Officer for all coalition forces in Iraq expressed his support for the great uprising in Iran. In his twitter account, Col. Martin wrote: Regime change in Iran, onward to a free Iran. 'I am always amazed how well balanced Iranian young adults are. Freedom & victory will come soon because they deserve it. We'll not give up on them, because they have not given up on themselves.'
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