BEHIND THE IRAN HEADLINES Series, November 27, 2024, Alireza Jafarzadeh, NCRI-US Deputy Director
The Iranian regime’s growing panic over the sole democratic alternative, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and its President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, underscores the Resistance’s role as the viable alternative to the theocratic dictatorship.
Recent alarmist reports from Tehran’s state media, following a significant conference on November 20 at the European Parliament attended by over thirty Members of the European Parliament, reveal how deeply the regime has panicked by the NCRI’s increasing international recognition and its existential challenge to the mullahs’ rule.
The conference highlighted the NCRI’s unwavering commitment to democratic change, gender equality, the abolition of the death penalty, and the separation of religion and state, as outlined in Mrs. Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan. These values resonate globally, uniting Iranians and garnering endorsements from international leaders.
Mrs. Rajavi’s declaration that “democratic change and overthrow are achievable and within reach” directly challenges the regime’s narrative, offering a clear vision for a peaceful transition of power led by the Iranian people.
She underscored the NCRI’s readiness to lead a peaceful transition after the regime’s overthrow. She said, “Our goal is not to seize power but to restore it to its rightful owners—the people of Iran and their vote. The NCRI represents a coalition of diverse political voices united in their vision for freedom and equality.”
The regime’s accusations against the European Parliament and frantic attempts to discredit the NCRI as “terrorist” reflect not only desperation but also its acknowledgment of the growing influence of NCRI and Mrs. Rajavi inside and outside Iran. Tehran’s fear of the IRGC’s designation as a terrorist entity by the EU further illustrates its vulnerability to international pressure.
The NCRI’s expanding recognition as a democratic alternative, along with MEK’s effective grassroots organization and its network of Resistance Units in Iran, affirm the Iranian Resistance’s role as the engine for change. As Tehran escalates suppression and executions at home, the Resistance Units and the Iranian people remain undeterred. Likewise, the regime’s pressure campaign on the international community will fail and ultimately backfire, further isolating the mullahs and bolstering the global momentum toward a free and democratic Republic Iran.