Gathering at the US Senate

Maryam Rajavi: Iranian Resistance’s Roadmap to Establish a Free and Democratic Society

Greetings to all of you
Your conference is very timely in highlighting a correct policy on Iran. Recent developments, including the overthrow of the Syrian dictatorship, have dealt a strategic blow to the clerical regime. The regime’s main proxy force, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, has also suffered a significant setback.
The world witnessed how Assad’s heavily armed forces, and tens of thousands of Quds Force proxies melted like snow under the summer sun.
There should be no doubt that the Revolutionary Guards and all other oppressive forces in Iran will not be able to stand against the anger of the Iranian people and their nationwide uprising.

Khamenei, the Strategic Loser

A year ago, Khamenei turned to war in the Middle East to divert attention from domestic issues and to prevent another nationwide protest in Iran.
Such wars are the last resort of dictatorships on the brink of collapse. However, his strategy backfired. The clerical regime is the strategic loser of the war it started.
For many years, the elected representatives of the United States in both chambers of the Congress have repeatedly supported a correct policy toward the religious fascism ruling Iran. The validity of their viewpoint is now confirmed by significant developments ongoing inside and outside Iran.
A powerful protest movement has taken root in Iranian society. Despite severe repression, the organized resistance in Iran has managed to expand and, over the past year, has demonstrated its presence through thousands of activities carried out by Resistance Units.
Recently, the regime reacted by issuing death sentences for nine supporters of the PMOI.

Policy Change toward Iran

Over the past four decades, various U.S. administrations have made numerous efforts to persuade the Iranian regime to abandon terrorism, and its efforts to destabilize the region and obtain nuclear weapons.
However, the regime’s response has always been the same: deception, blackmail, hostage taking, and, ultimately, escalating aggression. The correct and viable solution is the overthrow of this regime by the people of Iran and the Iranian Resistance. This goal is not only attainable but it is within reach.
As far as the role of the international community is concerned, the central element is recognizing the Iranian people’s right to overthrow the regime and the decisive role of the Iranian Resistance.
There is an organized resistance and an alternative in Iran with vast social support and a declared political platform.
The international community, particularly the United States, is expected to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its widespread domestic repression, terrorism, warmongering, and its nuclear weapons and missile programs. The international community must stand with the people of Iran and its fight for freedom.

A Viable Alternative vs. the Mullahs

Distinguished guests,
I have consistently emphasized that our goal is not to seize power but to restore it to its rightful owners, the people of Iran and their vote.
Our resistance has a practical roadmap for regime change and establishing a free and democratic society. The people, who are deeply discontented and angry, along with the Resistance Units, who are part of the Army of Freedom and the main force for change in Iran. They are preparing an organized uprising.
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), with thousands of experienced members, and Ashraf 3 in Albania that is one of its centers, and a democratic alternative, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), with international credibility and a clear program, are leading this struggle.
A wide range of Iranian experts make up an important part of the workforce needed to build Iran’s future.
After the regime’s overthrow, based on the NCRI’s plan, a provisional government will be formed for a maximum of six months. Its main task will be to hold free and fair elections for a Constituent Assembly.
After that, power will be transferred to the representatives of the people in this Assembly, who will elect a new government for a two-year term to draft the constitution of the new republic.
The existence of a competent alternative leaves no room for chaos.
For a free Iran, this resistance emphasizes on the ballot box as the only criteria for legitimacy, the freedoms and equal rights of women, the autonomy of ethnic groups, equality between Shia and Sunni Muslims and followers of other religions, the separation of religion and state, defending peace in the Middle East, and a non-nuclear Iran.

Honorable lawmakers in the U.S. Senate,
Dear friends of the Iranian people,
On behalf of the Iranian Resistance, I would like to wish you and the people of the United States a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year in advance.

Thank you and God bless you all.