BEHIND THE IRAN HEADLINES Series, February , 2025, Alireza Jafarzadeh, NCRI-US Deputy Director
The 1979 Iranian Revolution, fueled by a century-long yearning for freedom, justice, and popular sovereignty, was a genuine uprising against the Shah’s oppressive regime. The Shah’s rule was characterized by the notorious SAVAK secret police, the brutal Evin prison, a stifling single-party system, and widespread corruption.
Millions of Iranians from all walks of life united to overthrow the monarchy. However, this genuine revolution was hijacked by Ayatollah Khomeini and the mullahs. With democratic and secular forces imprisoned or executed, a leadership vacuum emerged, which Khomeini, after years of exile, exploited to consolidate power.
Within two years, he established a repressive theocracy, silencing dissent and brutally targeting those who participated in the revolution, particularly the MEK, resulting in the execution and murder of over 120,000 for their political beliefs. The 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, primarily MEK members, stands as a stark example of the regime’s brutality.
Despite the mullahs’ rule, the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic republic remains strong. Nine major uprisings since 2017, widespread election boycotts, and continuous protests demonstrate the Iranian people’s unwavering commitment to change.
The current regime’s failures and atrocities do not legitimize the return of a monarchy. The Iranian people are committed to shape a bright future rather than return to their dark past.
This aspiration is reflected in the 10-point plan of Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, which advocates for free elections, separation of church and state, gender equality, freedom of speech and religion, a free market economy, peace in the Middle East, and a non-nuclear republic.
This desire for a future free from both theocracy and monarchy was recently echoed by the massive rally of thousands of supporters of the Iranian Resistance in Paris. The rally reaffirmed that regime change, led by the Iranian people, is the solution, and that the NCRI offers a viable alternative, with a clear roadmap for the overthrow of the theocracy and the peaceful transfer of sovereignty to the Iranian people.