Message to the British Parliament

Maryam Rajavi: The Policy of Giving Concessions to the Mullahs Leads to War

The honorable members of the Houses of Commons and Lords,

Dear Friends,

Greetings to all of you. I thank the British Committee for Iran Freedom and the International Committee of Parliamentarians for a Democratic Iran for sponsoring this event. I would also like to pay tribute to Professor Vidal-Quadras and Dear Amparo.

Mr. Vidal-Quadras is a symbol of courage and perseverance in the face of religious fascism, which is one of the most significant threats to the world today.

The clerical regime’s terrorist attack on him revealed that the efforts of Mr. Vidal-Quadras in shaping a decisive European and international policy regarding the clerical regime, as well as his constant support for the Iranian people’s Resistance movement for freedom and democracy, had effectively cornered the regime. The attack also showed that the clerical regime is a dangerous enemy of humanity.

Professor Vidal-Quadras is a distinguished politician, an honorable individual, and a strong advocate for democracy. He is a source of pride for all of Europe.

Iranian Regime is Primary Party to the Conflict in the Region

Dear Friends,

Today marks exactly seven months since the war in the Middle East began, with innocent civilians falling victim to its violence every day. From the beginning, the Iranian Resistance has emphasized the role of the Iranian regime in fueling this conflict. It has constantly stated that the head of the snake of warmongering and terrorism lies within Iran, under the rule of the mullahs, and that those seeking peace in the region must confront the main obstacle to peace, which is the mullahs’ regime.

Indeed, Ali Khamenei (the mullahs’ supreme leader) started this war to prevent potential uprisings among the Iranian people. In the beginning, the West tried to downplay the regime’s role, in continuation of their policy of appeasement.

However, there are compelling reasons now confirming the decisive role played by the mullahs’ regime in fueling and continuing this war.

When Khamenei emerged from the shadows of his proxies and launched hundreds of missiles and drones, it became evident to all that this regime was the main party to the conflict.

The ongoing war has not only involved Middle East countries but also significant parts of the world. One of the critical lessons of this conflict is that giving concessions to the regime only serves to intensify tensions rather than ease them. If the regime had faced a firm stance from Western governments, it might have reconsidered its path towards war.

Despite this bitter lesson, European governments have continued to avoid adopting a decisive policy against the Iranian regime. The regime is responsible for turning the Red Sea into a battleground through its militia groups. It has fueled conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon through its proxy networks.

Iranian Regime’s War with the People of Iran

According to British officials, the Iranian regime has been involved in various plots to assassinate or kidnap individuals in Britain.

In step with provoking the conflict in the region, the regime has been waging another brutal war against the Iranian people. It has executed some 80 prisoners just in the last two weeks.

An example of the countless crimes committed by the regime is the brutal murder of the 16-year-old Nika Shakarami during the 2022 uprising. Recently disclosed documents on this case reveal that undercover IRGC agents sexually assaulted and killed her, before dropping her body on the streets of Tehran. This shocking case is just one among thousands of similar crimes in Iran that have been covered up until now.

Advocating the Correct Policy on Iranian Regime

Distinguished friends,

In contrast to the policy of appeasement, the British Parliament has taken admirable positions towards the ruling regime in Iran.

One of the most significant actions was the parliament’s motion presented by the honorable Bob Blackman to designate the IRGC as a terrorist force, which was unanimously adopted by the House of Commons.

In February this year, the House of Commons passed another very important motion emphasizing the importance of protecting the basic rights of residents in Ashraf-3 in Albania.

The UK Parliament also called upon European governments, particularly the government of Albania, to ensure the protection of the rights of members of the PMOI in Ashraf-3.

I should also mention the Early Day Motion presented last November, which called for a free and democratic Iran.

The honorable MPs in the British Committee for Iran Freedom, who initiated these decisions, have been advocating for a correct policy towards Iran for years.

On behalf of the Iranian people’s Resistance, I call on governments and international bodies to implement these policies:

1.  Officially designating the IRGC as a terrorist entity;
2. Declaring the Iranian regime as a threat to world peace and security under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter;
3. Activating the snapback mechanism in UN Security Council Resolution 2231; and restoring Security Council resolutions on the regime’s nuclear projects; and
4. Recognizing the Iranian people’s struggle to overthrow the mullahs’ regime.

Thank you all very much.