Senator Terzi, the former Foreign Minister, and Italian MPs visit Ashraf-3

Maryam Rajavi: The correct policy by the international community is to stand by the Iranian people in their fight to overthrow the religious tyranny

Dear Senator,
Dear Representatives,

Ashraf 3 and its freedom fighters extend a warm welcome to you. Your support for the Iranian people’s freedom movement against religious tyranny reminds us of “the war of liberation” and struggles of the “Italian Resistance Movement” for freedom and democracy.

Certainly, the rebellious cities and youth in the Iran uprising serve as reminders of the sacrifice of the rebels and partisans for Italy’s freedom and independence.

The commitment to freedom is a shared ideal that unites us all, regardless of nationality and language, towards a common goal. For this reason, your presence, as friends and supporters of the Iranian people and Resistance at Ashraf-3 reflects solidarity with the ideal of the Iranian people’s freedom.

The uprising, the Iranian people’s united voice for the overthrow

Over five months have passed since the ardent and hopeful uprising of the Iranian people, which was also heartrending, painful, and full of sacrifice.

This uprising united the voices of Iranians calling for the overthrow of the mullahs’ regime. The same cry of “Death to Khamenei” was heard from the streets of Tehran to Zahedan, in rejection of Velayat-e faqih.

The universal message of the Iranian people is expressed by students, women, and young people, who shouted “Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Leader (Khamenei)” against any form of monarchical or religious dictatorship.

Women played an essential role as the vanguard and leaders of the Iranian people’s democratic revolution. They demonstrated the true picture of Iranian women’s blood-drenched struggles against religious tyranny for the past four decades.

As we approach March 8, it is clearer than ever that the clerical regime will be permanently removed from Iran’s history, with women playing a leading role.

A free and democratic republic is within reach and possible

I would like to take a moment to discuss the current developments surrounding Iran and the ongoing uprising.

Prior to the 2022 uprising, many people around the world believed that the rule of the mullahs was unchangeable and powerful, given their deadly atomic and missile program and their involvement in war and terrorist activities, particularly in the Middle East.
However, the nationwide uprising has brought to light the Iranian people’s strong desire for freedom and their determination to overthrow the regime in favor of a free and democratic republic. This vision is not only possible but inevitable.

All of you are aware of the brutal repression being inflicted on the current uprising by the regime, which has resulted in over 750 martyrs, including 664 whose names have been announced by the Iranian resistance.

Boys and girls are being tortured, women are being assaulted, and both women and men are being blinded, while children are being killed.

But the Iranian people again shouted the uprising will continue until the regime’s overthrow.

The Iranian people’s anger against this regime cannot be contained. In Zahedan, Baluch men and women take to the streets every Friday with the chant of “Death to Khamenei.” Last week, the regime’s suppressive forces began arresting and beating people early on Friday, but the brave protesters responded with even greater anger, shouting that they will stand firm until the end.

Meanwhile, nightly slogans against the regime continue unabated, as do the activities of Resistance Units, even in the face of ongoing arrests.

The mullahs’ misogynous regime in a deliberate government-organized crime has engaged in chain poisoning of students in girls’ schools in different cities, which has resulted in the poisoning of many students and their hospitalization. The crime is seeking vengeance over the leading role of valiant girls in the uprising. It supplements the work of the regime’s guidance patrols.

Yesterday, brave girl students and their parents chanted “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator” to protest this barbaric crime.

I want to say that despite all these crimes, the path to overthrowing this regime has had its ebbs and flows, but there is no doubt about its ultimate outcome. With every passing day, the struggle against this corrupt government grows more intense.

History has shown that the side of freedom, democracy, and equality will ultimately emerge victorious. The true victors of this battle are the heroic and brave people of Iran.

NCRI, the most enduring coalition of democratic forces

In addition to the widespread repression, the demonization of the PMOI and the Iranian resistance has intensified both inside and outside of Iran, including in cyberspace.

Let us explore the rationale behind the regime’s demonization and attacks on supporters of the PMOI and Iranian resistance through counterpropaganda, as many of you, dear friends, have undoubtedly experienced firsthand.

In essence, the embattled clerical regime seeks to promote the message that any alternative to their regime would be far worse, to undermine and discredit the main forces fighting for its overthrow.

By resorting to this tactic, the besieged regime seeks to mask its looming downfall and thwart the progress of the uprising and the Iranian Resistance. The regime knows full well that the PMOI and the National Council of Resistance are the only viable forces for overthrow in over four decades.

It is well aware that this alternative represents the genuine path towards independence, democracy, justice, and equality in Iran.

The regime is well aware that the PMOI and the Iranian resistance have not only formulated specific and announced plans for women’s rights and freedoms since 40 years ago, but they have also been at the forefront of promoting gender equality and female leadership.

It is aware that since four decades ago, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has similarly presented the most progressive plans for the rights of oppressed nationalities by adopting the plan for the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan and the freedom of religions.

Perhaps most crucially, the NCRI, established by Massoud Rajavi, is the longest-standing coalition of democratic forces since 1981 that seeks to overthrow the clerical regime and establish democracy in Iran.

The NCRI has withstood the test of time, weathering years of trials and tribulations, including countless blood-drenched battles and the loss of over 120,000 martyrs.

Despite these challenges, the coalition remains a resilient and dynamic force committed to the noble pursuit of freedom and democracy for the Iranian people.

Since its inception, the mullahs’ regime has relied on two pillars – suppression and execution domestically, and terrorism and warmongering abroad – to maintain its grip on power. Even today, in order to divert the uprising, it continues to employ two tactics: the demonization of the Resistance and the establishment of fake alternatives and coalitions whose primary aim is to balance calls for the regime’s negation with negation of the Resistance and PMOI.

These campaigns serve as a clear indicator of the actors who choose not to stand with the force that seeks to overthrow the regime and is the genuine alternative. Instead, they parrot the regime’s rhetoric and accusations.

The main political conflict today revolves around who will aid the uprising in overthrowing this regime and accelerate its momentum, and who will obstruct its progress and buy time for the regime.

Correct policy vis-à-vis the Iran regime

The mullahs’ regime has committed heinous crimes by deceiving both Iranian society and the international community so far. Its crimes range from warmongering in the Middle East, to bombing plots and blackmail in negotiations with the West to ruthless suppression and massacre of its own citizens at home, while playing a deceitful game of internal power struggles, masquerading as a moderate and reformist force. The regime’s true intentions are to subvert and undermine the Iranian people’s legitimate demands for freedom, democracy, and equality.

The only viable solution against such a regime is its overthrow by the uprising and Resistance. The correct policy for the international community is to stand by the Iranian people in their fight to overthrow the religious tyranny.

The international community must recognize the right of the Iranian people to resist and to overthrow this oppressive regime. European countries must designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization due to its role in repression and violence.

This policy is not only a moral obligation for Europe, but also a political responsibility emanating from their commitment to protect their citizens from terrorism and insecurity.

While overthrowing the regime is the duty of the Iranian people and resistance, they expect Europe and the world to take concrete actions beyond just verbal condemnations, such as closing embassies and expelling regime mercenaries.

The Iranian resistance is committed to a selfless struggle to establish a republic based on the separation of religion and state, gender equality, and the abolishment of the death penalty.

The Iranian people are determined to realize the establishment of freedom, democracy, and a free and democratic republic in Iran whatever the price.

Thank you again for your presence.