From Paris To Washington: The Power Of An Alternative For Change In Iran – OpEd

Between February 8 and March 8, 2025, coinciding with International Women’s Day, the Iranian Resistance movement took significant steps in its struggle to overthrow the clerical dictatorship.

This movement, which seeks to establish a democratic and secular republic in Iran, held two major demonstrations abroad, each attended by tens of thousands of people. Simultaneously, hundreds of international and parliamentary conferences, along with political and social initiatives, were carried out across Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Inside Iran, resistance units affiliated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) played a key role in expanding public protests by conducting hundreds of operations against the regime’s oppressive forces.

Regional Developments and the Iranian Regime’s Crisis

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), emphasized in the conference titled “Ramadan: The Month of Brotherhood and Tolerance Versus the Velayat-e Faqih and Fundamentalism” that regional developments — including the fall of Syria’s dictatorship and Iran’s declining influence in Lebanon — have dealt a severe blow to the regime’s survival strategy.

She highlighted that these changes, combined with economic crises, social unrest, and international isolation, have pushed the regime closer to collapse than ever before.

Mrs. Rajavi stressed that the most significant threat to the regime’s survival is the presence of a strong and democratic alternative capable of channelling public protests toward the regime’s downfall. She added that this alternative, presented as a form of democratic Islam, offers a clear and effective response to the extremism and religious tyranny dominating Iran.

Maryam Rajavi’s Message to Demonstrators in Washington

In her message to the demonstrators gathered in Washington on March 8, International Women’s Day, Mrs. Rajavi addressed the crowd, which had assembled powerfully and impressively in front of the U.S. Capitol. She declared:

“Now is the time to rise and turn the dark page of Iran’s history.”

Referring to the regime’s repeated failures and its paralysis in addressing the people’s problems, Mrs. Rajavi added:

“Today, Khamenei stands against the Iranian people by resorting to relentless executions. He has also accelerated the nuclear bomb-making program to threaten and blackmail the international community.

In contrast, the Iranian Resistance was the first to expose the regime’s most secretive sites and details of its anti-patriotic nuclear program.

We have consistently emphasized — including during the 2015 negotiations with the P5+1 countries — that all nuclear sites and enrichment facilities must be completely dismantled. Unfortunately, appeasement and negotiations allowed the regime to move closer to acquiring a nuclear bomb.

Today, we repeat: To prevent this war-mongering, terrorism-exporting regime from obtaining nuclear weapons, the first and immediate step is to completely terminate its nuclear program. However, the ultimate and definitive solution is the regime’s overthrow by the Iranian people and their organized resistance.

To turn the dark page of Iran’s history, it is vital to support the resistance units and the pioneering women who lead them. They are the elements of the Army of Freedom, the main driving force for change, and the true freedom fighters of Iran.”

Internal Crises and Rising Discontent

The Iranian regime now faces a deadlock, burdened with multiple complex crises that have pushed it to the brink of collapse:

Economically, rampant inflation, widespread unemployment, a more than 90% devaluation of the national currency, and systemic corruption have driven people’s living conditions into unprecedented turmoil.

Socially, protests continue daily, involving retirees, workers, nurses, doctors, students, and teachers. Recent uprisings have shown that Iranians have moved beyond mere economic demands, with their anti-regime slogans reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the entire political system.

In other words, the social climate is primed for the regime’s overthrow. The regime’s only response to public demands has been torture and executions, which have only intensified public outrage. Each wave of suppression has further fuelled the flames of resistance.

This situation, coupled with the presence of an organized and cohesive force such as the PMOI/MEK and NCRI, is steering the situation toward the regime’s inevitable downfall. A nationwide uprising is now unavoidable.

Internationally, the regime is increasingly isolated and faces intensified sanctions. Even its traditional allies are no longer willing to offer unconditional support.

Politically, internal divisions have deepened, with infighting among factions leading to significant resignations, including  former Foreign Minister of the regime Mohammad Javad  Zarif’s advisor, the dismissal of Economy Minister Abdol Naser Hemmati, and other senior figures.

Organized Resistance and Uprising : The Only Solution

In her address to Iranian protesters in Washington, Mrs. Rajavi stressed that experience has proven the Iranian regime cannot be changed through internal reforms or foreign negotiations. Its survival depends on internal repression and regional crises. The only solution for saving Iran is the regime’s overthrow by the Iranian people and their organized resistance.

She concluded:

“Now is the time to rise, and the only path to salvation is organized struggle, relying on resistance units and a nationwide uprising.”

A recent resolution backed by over 150 U.S. lawmakers, supporting the Iranian people’s rights and the role of resistance units in toppling the regime, signifies growing international support for this movement.

This movement, recognized as a powerful alternative for change in Iran, has demonstrated its strength through massive demonstrations abroad, extensive resistance activities inside Iran, well-structured political and social programs, and effective leadership. Operating under the umbrella of the NCRI, this movement is dedicated to achieving freedom, democracy, and justice in Iran.