BEHIND THE IRAN HEADLINES Series, September 30, 2024, Alireza Jafarzadeh, NCRI-US Deputy Director
September 29 marks the anniversary of ratifying the constitution and platform of the democratic opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), in 1981.
The NCRI was founded on July 21, 1981, commemorating the 1952 uprising against the Shah and in support of the legendary democratic Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh.
The NCRI’s mission is to overthrow the ruling religious dictatorship and replace it with a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic.
The NCRI has adopted several plans for Iran’s future, including the Peace Plan, the Plan for the Autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan, the Declaration on the Relations of the Provisional Government with Religion and Denominations, and the Plan on Rights and Freedoms of Women.
The NCRI has committed to organizing free and fair elections within six months of the regime’s fall, leading to the formation of a Constituent and National Legislative Assembly. Once this assembly is formed, the NCRI’s mission will conclude.
In September 1993, NCRI elected Maryam Rajavi as President for the transitional period, tasked with managing the country’s affairs within the framework of her 10-point plan. Her mandate is to ensure a stable and orderly transfer of power to the people of Iran, ending once the new constitution is approved and a new president is elected.
In 1993, the NCRI adopted the ancient Shir-o-Khorshid (Lion and Sun) emblem as its official symbol, incorporating the three-colored Iranian flag.
The NCRI is inclusive, representing Iran’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, and operates on consensus, ensuring all voices are integrated into its policies and resolutions. In 2002, it announced the National Solidarity Front, expressing its willingness to collaborate with other forces dedicated to overthrowing the religious dictatorship and establishing a democratic, independent, and republican system based on the separation of religion from the state.
Under Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, the NCRI has provided a clear roadmap for Iran’s transition. Her role is pivotal in ensuring that democracy, equality, and freedom are the foundation of Iran’s future.